Air conditioned

I admit it.  I have a Pavlov type reaction when our air condition comes on.  I grimace and sigh.  Wendy say I obsess.  First, let me start of by saying I am glad we have air conditioning.  Also that we have been blessed not to have to work on the system.  The unit honestly needs work.  It came with the house and who knows how long it had been there.  It does cool the house down, but seems to take an eternity.

That is where my obsessiveness comes in.  While the unit is running I will look at the clock and then look at the temperature.  It only has to cool two degrees is my point!  How long could that take?!   Often just when I am about to lose my patience it clicks off.  Funny, how that happens in other things.

Last night the air condition ran so long.  For awhile it went up a degree, even after running for awhile.  It ran so long that even Wendy said cut the air off.  Fortunately, it had cooled down some, enough to be close to where we wanted the temperature to be.  However, it was close to ten o'clock at night!

I know that we have been in a stretch of record breaking heat so air conditioners have had to work overtime.  I do not want my power bill to be paid overtime.

How do enjoy beating the heat?

Nice racc, coon

The other night, we were finishing up eating dinner.  I was at the sink putting some dishes away when Wendy exclaims, "Look out the window!"  I peek out the kitchen window and see a family of raccoons.  There was the big one and one baby, two baby, and lurking around three baby.

We have seen the larger one before.  I guess since Metro is out there they think they can score a meal.  Fortunately, Metro's dish was empty at that time so they were unable to eat.  The raccoons went off on there way.  I hope not to return, but who knows.

I looked online.  Apparently the birth time for raccoons is April through June, which is why some babies appear in July.  They like to hang around water and we live on the edge of a so-called body of water.  One website said there are deterrents like ammonia.  Another said the only true way to alleviate raccoon problems to have them removed. 

I like the idea of having them removed, but not calling someone to do it.  We do not want them to carry rabies and spread it to Metro.  Who since has been outside has been a nice cat, but we do not want that to change.

Hopefully the raccoon family will see that we are pretty boring and not find us hospitable.  They can even take our dust with their feet.

What did you do with your wild night creatures?

Open and shutdown

Today is a day that I am ready for the end.  It has been so quiet at work.  Everyone was gone or found better ways to occupy their time than I did.

At least it is Friday.  I had two days of work, then off one, then work two days.  All in not bad.  Through it did drag in some places.

Did your week go weak?

There are always the same hours in the day

Yet vacation days always seem shorter.

My day off yesterday flew by.  I cannot really tell you what we did.  I do not think we left the house.  Well to get ice cream.  Coupon!  We heard some people shooting off what I hope were firecrackers somewhere.  Fireworks were on television.  It is odd to watch fireworks on tv.  On broadcast showed twenty minutes worth while playing music selections.  I suppose the only good thing about watching celebrations on television is not being out in the elements and well be able to go to your own bathroom.

I guess the days go by quickly because I am less conscious.  At least that is what I think I hear Wendy say before I roll over...

Where does time seem to go where you go?

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it is off work I go

Today is the Fourth of July, so it is a day off.  Not that I am complaining, but it is in the middle of the week.  All day yesterday had the feel of Friday.  Being off one day is going to feel weird.  However, the bright side is work two days, off one, work two days, off one.  I guess that makes it a four day workweek.  I did not even have to work ten hour days.

Not sure what is on the agenda today.  Could do a lot, but how much?

Do you see a vacation as relaxation or an interruption?

Spam it

Apparently my e-mail account thought I needed to send more e-mails.  My first ever e-mail account was a Hotmail account.  I still have it.  It is my main account.  I have had the same password for that account since its creation.  Not anymore.  I know, which is more sad that I have not updated the password or that I use Hotmail?

Saturday, Wendy was on the computer and said she received an e-mail from me with just a link.  It looks like my account had been hacked.  All on my contact list received a spam e-mail containing a link.  Well to be honest, my contact list is so old and out of date I received most of the mail back in mailer daemon form.  When I was able to check my e-mail, I had to get a recovery code because Hotmail locked my account due to excess activity, I had over 200 returned e-mails.

I hate that my account was hacked.  It is annoying.  However, there is a funny side because most of the people were not affected.  It was amusing to see all those returned e-mails.  Well until I had to clean them out.

How out of date is your contact list?  Do you still use your first e-mail account?

Sorry about the large picture.  Just for you to scroll down and see this.

Two twos

Sunday Wendy and I saw doubles.  Joy turned two years old and Ava turned two months.  For pictures you will have to check out Wendy's wonderful blog.  It is amazing how different children look in earlier pictures and I have no recollection of them looking that way.

If you ask Joy how old she is the answer is "Nine."  Two used to be all she would say.

We had a party for Joy on Saturday.  On the menu was pizza, watermelon, and red velvet cake.  Joy received a red wagon, a doll, and much needed summer clothes.  To complete the red theme Joy wanted to spend time outside and came in all red from the heat.

What is your favorite part of a birthday?

Vacating the premises

I think God wants me to take a vacation.  Yesterday all the blogs I read were about vacations.  Of course it is summer, so one can take that into account.  It could be also the effect when a particular thought is in the mind, confirmation of that thought is all a person sees.  Wendy and I had been talking about a getaway a few days ago.  Wendy has a desire to go  to the beach.  I am not sure the last thing we have gone.

Growing up my family never really took vacations.  If we went anywhere it was to visit family.  So the taking time to go somewhere is foreign to me.  However, Wendy is trying to train me.

I did hear an interesting exchange on a website I visited.  Michael Hyatt, author and speaker on leadership, talked about people who never took vacations.  Maybe they thought they were too valuable to be gone.  I know I am not too valuable to be missed.  His thought is that people need vacations.  He also said that if one never takes a vacations it shows how that person cannot manage time to get the work done.  I think that is an interesting point.

A vacation does not have to be elaborate.  All it is a time of getaway and renewal.

Where are you going to go?

I wish I were cool

Not just because of the heat.

It seems that there is a flurry of activity all around me.  People are doing this amazing things.  They seem to have great careers, but look like they are not out of their twenties.  Or they talk about going to this place.

I seem to only go to work and come home.

I look in the mirror and go bleegh.

Does anybody say the word cool anymore?

Driving me crazy

Yesterday we were coming  back from visiting Wendy's parents.  It was after 6 o'clock in the evening.  So we thought traffic would not be that bad.  We left in pouring down rain, but it did stop after a few minutes.  All was well until we hit exit 309 on 40.  It was a stand still.  We could not figure out what was happen.  further down the road we see they want everyone to get in the left lane.  The weird thing was once that happened traffic moved a little more smooth.  After 30 minutes we venture two miles and see that an exit has been closed.  After that traffic returned to normal.  The thing I do not understand is how road repair on an entirely separate road effected our traffic.

Wendy and I seem to always pick the wrong shopping lane as well.  Over the weekend one guy was had one item so we stood behind him.  However, it took 15 minutes for the cashier to help him.  We saw several people move forward in the lines around us.  I think we did end up moving lines, but still had a delay.

Where is these life in the fast lane everyone is talking about?

No know

I heard a clip from an interesting individual the other day.  A guy named Bob Goff, who recently wrote a  book called Love Does.  I do not know too much about the book.  Bob was pretty interesting to watch and very energetic.  Two statements he made interested me.

One was talking about that he knew facts about Jesus.  He called it "stalking Jesus".  Bob had the specifics down and focused on the what.  Sort of like the social media of your choice.  People can know all about you, but not know you.

The next story related to a men's Bible study Bob attends.  He wanted to something other than just look at a passage and talk about.  He gave the example of Lazarus and the leader asking, "When was the last time you were dead?'  "Right now."  thought Bob.  He was to see how it could be applied into action.

There might be something in the Bible about that.

Communication is one key to a lock

I am reading about book by a relationship expert who says that communication can be talked about too much.  In his opinion, communication is not the only thing to keep a marriage successful.  Sure it is important, but there are other things. 

The book is The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman.  Gottman put a lot of effort into studying couples.  Now he can tell which couples will make it and which will not.  He stresses that couples have to like each other and be able to diffuse the relationships.  Tension will come.  It is the couples that are able to break that tension that will survive.  That brings up his point about communication.  If the couple is communicating, but it is only escalating then what good was the talk.  So the relationship is the key.  Most of the excuses people use for divorce are not the true cause, but only symptoms from a broken relationship.

In case you are interested the seven principles Gottman has are:
1)  Enhance your love maps-  Get to know your partner.

2) Nurture your fondness and admiration-  Your partner has good qualities.  Tell that person1

3)  Turn toward each other instead of away- Your partner is your partner.

4) Let your partner influence you-  Everyone can use advice.

5)  Solve your solvable problems-     Work through to find a solution

6)  Overcome gridlock-  A back up gets no one where he wants to go.  Sometimes a temporary compromise must be met.

7)  Create shared meaning-  I have not finished that chapter yet.  I would think it would be create memories as a couple.  Find the common ground to ease the tension.

Of course I am no relationship expert.  I am not even sure if these are the right meanings.  Marriage is meant to last.  It is one of the important relationships.  Why not put in a little effort for the one you love?

Father's Day Fallout

People always ask "How was (insert choice)?"  I never really know what to say.  I am not that big on introspection.  As long as it was okay, it is good.

This past Father's Day was pretty good.  A friend from church and two of her children came over and babysat.  Wendy and I had a lunch date and ran some errands.  Sunday was the normal church activities.  I did receive some Father Day gifts.  Two polo shirts.  Which is good because I do not buy clothes on my own.  I only wear what people give me.

I guess celebrations are for people who like to have fun.  People seem to have very active lifestyles.  At least hearing about it motivates my thinking about doing something.

So, how was your day?

Pa's to remember

Today is Father's Day.  Which means there has been a run on a random assortment of things.  Do people still get ties?

A little aside.  Why do the people who seem the most driven have the most children?  How do they have the time?  Also a lot of people involved in ministry leadership seem to have a lot of children.  Is that so they can fill up the church wherever they go?

Men like to be noticed.  That is a good thing because children notice them.  Nothing taken from moms, but one hears about family struggle with no father in the house.  A father is supposed to be an example.  To a son, teach the boy to be a man.  To a daughter, show her the type of man she needs.

There is probably some saying out there about how it takes only a second to become a father, but it takes a lifetime to be a father.  If not, then I will take credit for it.  I think it is true.  Fatherhood is a responsibility.  Think of it like duty.  A father signed up because it is a cause he believes in.

The good news is that fathers do not have to perfect.  I know I am far from being a perfect father.  As fathers, we need to show perfect love.  From what I am reading, if the father makes a lot of mistakes, but still loves the child then an award winning  book will be written.  Joy and Ava, how about 60/40?

So fathers, dads, pops, paters, baby daddies, the old men, we can stand a little straighter and know that we have those who love us.  That is half the battle.  The other half is showing them we love them.

The music is going to get you

I know nothing about music.  I cannot sing nor dance.  However, there is something about hearing music that does make me want to move.  While working out I am one of the few who does not have some form of earbuds.  Sometimes when I attend the gym there are workout classes going on.  The trainer usually has some upbeat music as accompaniment.  It does help to get the body going.  I know that I can move my legs a little faster. 

Music does get the imagination flowing.  Think of all the musicals where the actors burst into what seems like random song.  Everyone wants their own intro music.  Sometimes music makes me want to do those high flying acrobatic moves, which I cannot do.  That is probably more a guy thing.

I love those reunion type songs.  Where one starts singing and the other partner comes out to finish as a duet.  Or the upbeat choir.  I think I would like that at my funeral.  So it will be fun for the audience.

On another note, that is the end.  Music to your ears I know.

Come fly with me

Last night we heard the buzzing of an unwanted creature.  We were eating dinner and kept hearing the buzzing of roaming fly.  This thing was massive.  You would think that its immense size would make it easy to kill.  Not quite.  I would come close, but could never hit it.

Well one time I did.  I smacked my hands and it fell.  I should have gone with my gut instinct and crushed its guts extinct.  However, as it lay on the floor, I looked for something to pick it up with to dispose of our guest.  Right when I reached down with the napkin, the fly took flight.  It buzzed around a little more disrupting our evening.  Then disappeared or at least I could never find it again.

I guess the fly-ght plan included not getting killed.

The check is in the mail

I had an interesting experience Friday afternoon.  It always happens Friday an hour or so before the end of the day.  I think sometimes Friday is the new Monday.

One of the accounting team members tracks me down and says remember that check you sent Express Mail?  The people did not get it.  Uuuuuggghhh!  Of course I do not have the tracking number.  It did not come off on the paper and I thought I should write it down.  Did I?  Naaa.  So I try to track down the tracking number.  First plan, check the unused Express mail forms.  Problem, not in sequential order.  I have no way of knowing the number.  Second plan, call our local post office.  Problem, they the need to tracking number to do anything.  Dead end.  Third, find the paper.  Problem, in the trash from two days ago.  So I dumpster dive.  After two attempts, I find the paper.  Still blank.

By this time it is time to go.  I think I will go by the post office and maybe a face to face chat will help.  Problem, close to their closing time and the line is out the door.  Plus, I have no information.  So I turn around and go home.

Monday comes.  I get the address to place it was sent. The person in Accounting says it was meant to be sent somewhere else, but in the haste to get it ready for next day did not.  So it went to the place addressed on the check.  So I call the main post office.  The guy says there is nothing he can do, but he gives me the phone number of the post office where it was to be delivered.  I call and talk to the nice person who says....here is the envelope right here.  Apparently the carrier could not get anyone at the business to sign for the Express mail package!  Hmm.  So I say I will see what the people want to do, whether put it out for delivery or have someone pick it up.  The guy in accounting calls his contact and she will have someone from the place it was intended to go pick it up.  So I call back the post office and say someone will pick it up.  I do get the tracking number this time, just in case.

I check the tracking online.  So sign of anything.  Then later I check.  I see the noticed of failed delivery.  Finally check back and see someone signed for it.  I guess it takes awhile for the system to update.

Anyway crisis averted.  The check was truly in the mail.  Somewhere.

Parking a lot

Wendy's parents came into town for a few hours on Saturday.  Wendy's dad wanted to do a picnic lunch at Pullen Park. So we grab lunch at Bojangles'.  Side note...have a senior citizen order the food.  So we grab the food and head to the park.  As we get closer Wendy notices all the cars on the side of street.  Spirits sink lower as we pass each car.  We pull into the parking lot.  No spaces available.  Some event was happening.  That is the second time we have gone on the same day as an event.  The first was some kind of shindig happening in the afternoon, so when we went most of the park was closed.

So after no place to park at the park, we decide to venture to another park.  This one is not that crowded.  Except the cover picnic area.  A group is having a party.  Fortunately, we find a picnic table and enjoy our lunch.  Joy was ready to wander around.

Joy does love being outside.  She seems to enjoy the park.  I am not quite what she enjoys most about park.  She will swing enough to get the phrase, "Out, out" out.  She slides a few times.  Mostly she enjoys walking from here to there.  And pointing out the babies and dogs.

So even though the day did not turn out like we had planned we still had our picnic in the park.

Storms a brewin' the drink of your choice

Even though we have not officially hit summer.  Shh!  Don't tell the temperatures.  We have had the effects of the summer storms.  It seems according to the handy weather icons that clouds have taken over.  Most of the days have rain.  Some days more than others.

I think water is one of those things people like, until it ruins their plans.

To the left of me is alright with me

There is something about leftovers that makes them just as good, if not better, than the first time.  Timing does have a lot to do with this.  I do not imagine it works with anything too old.  It is a good feeling knowing that I do not have to cook and still have decent food available.  It could just be that I do not have to worry about what to eat.  The food is ready to be consumed.

The write stuff

Everything I read has been written down.  So that does show how important writing is.  Just think about contracts.  Most, if not all, are now in written form.

Same with goals apparently.  I have a hard time even coming up with goals.  The experts say write down the goal.  It is one step closer to achieving it.  I guess it makes it more real.  Or someone finds it and says I will help you do this.  So in that case be careful what you write down.

Burying talent in the sand

I do not really understand the show "America's Got Talent."  It seems that show draws everyone out of somewhere.  An aside note, why are all the major competitions going to win a trip to Vegas?  Is Vegas that hard up for people to visit or is it just so people can bet?  Anyway, the people that audition for the Talent show do bizarre things.  One point is that how is that an act?  It might be cool, but I would not pay money to see it on a regular basis.  Most often the acts are disappointing, which I think most people like.

A show that came on after was one that was on a cable network for a few years and I guess is revamped for primetime.  "America's Next Great Ninja Warrior" or something like that.  It had nothing to do with fighting, but people doing extreme obstacle courses.  Of course the winner goes to Vegas.  As strange as it looked these guys are athletes.  They were doing flips off walls.  It was pretty amazing to watch.  Strange, but cool.

It is good that people are using their talents. If a talent is not used then it is only wasted.  Which will then be given to the person with more.  The Bible talks about investing your time and personal responsibility.  Too often we want a quick route to success.  This is probably way off base, but we bury our talent in one place.  Now I will be the first to admit I want everything handed to me.  I am not patient.  I know that I do not use my talent like I should.  I am one to try and let it glide, waiting for the master to return.

I think using talent and using it well is a series of investment.  Be good to your family and work hard.  Then your family will tell your friends.  Your friends will tell your boss.  Then your boss will tell your bank account.

Eeny Meeny Miney Moe

No, those are not the new stooges.  I do wonder how the movie did.  I think I have heard not well.  Yesterday at church was about choice.  The Sunday school lesson, graduation Sunday, and the sermon in some way.

Choice always happen.  Most people say they have no choice.  This means they do not have the choice they want.  The bizarre thing is that choice happens even when you do nothing.  You are still making a choice.  I admit I have a hard time choosing between things.  Some things are a given, of course.  The ready example is food.  I prefer places where I have choice, as long as it is under one price.  That way I do not have to narrow my options.

The majority of my choice seems to involve inaction.  I tend to wait and see what will be given to me.  Or I defer to another judgment.

I think that great people are able to make a choice, even when it is difficult.  Of course it helps to have guidance all along and when a difficult choice comes up, it does not have to be a difficult decision.

The choice is yours.  The question is what are you going to do with it?

Open and shut case

My previous post was about my woes in opening various packaging.  Now it seems that I cannot open lids.  It sounds simple.  Turn and twist.  For some reason my hands do not grasp the concept.  Or the lid is hanging on for dear life.  Or I exhibit superhuman strength when closing something.

I will loosen it for next time.

Package deal

What is going on with packaging today?  I have the hardest time opening up something.  I think that it is paper so how hard could it be to open?  Answer...pretty hard.  I pull and it stretches with me.  Or the worst is when the package is resealable and then breaks.

 At least I know my contents are pretty safe.

Clouded judgment

It is so weird to see the seven day forecast with clouds and storms.  It seems that we have had more storms than usual.  I heard for last month we were two inches over for amount of rain, but at that point an inch behind for the year.  It does seem like we have had more rain ever since Metro ran outside a few months ago.  I am not sure where he goes during the wet weather.  If April showers bring May flowers, then what do May downpours bring?

I saw yesterday it raining sideways with the sun out.  I guess the current rain pattern is a result from the latest tropical storm hovering around.

Feel free to drop by anytime.  But only when I do not have any major plans.

Good grief

I will admit upfront that I do not have much experience in loss.  I have had a couple of grandparents die.  In all honesty the closest I have come to loss is misplacing something.  So that being claimed you can take everything I say with a ton of salt.

Today is Memorial Day.  It is a time when the majority of people are off work and yes, the kickoff for summer.  According to one comedian it is a great time to buy a mattress.  Yet, most importantly, or at least the official reason for the holiday, is a day of remembrance.  For those who made a difference in our lives and our country.  Those who paid with an ultimate sacrifice.  I have never served in the military nor do I know anyone personally who has died in service to our country.  Sure, I see the stories on television.  It is only imagining the loss the surviving friends and family must feel.

My in-laws church did something interesting during the service yesterday.  Other churches may do it or they may do annually I am not sure.  They included a memorial service in the service.  Names were read off of church members and family who died during the year.  A candle was lit in there honor, along with a photograph placed on a tree.  It was interesting to see how the people were impacted by their loved ones.

I am sure that grief never goes away.  There is always the tension between missing someone and, if the person was a believer, knowing he is with God.  I guess that is why someone who wants to be there is a shoulder.  The shoulder provides encouragement or a nudge when needed, hopefully block some of the insensitive things that are well intentioned, and provide a place to cry on.  Dealing with grief is a process.  I suppose not some goal to reach.

To the living I would say, remember those that had an impact on you.  Honor the memory and behave the way that person taught.  That is probably the best tribute.  Also live in a way that people will want to remember.

Wheeling and Dealing

Wendy and I recently watched the movie Flywheel.  It one produced by the Kendrick brothers who do Christian movies, like Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous.  Flywheel was their first one.  The title came from one sentence of dialogue in the movie.  I guess that is the way most movies are.

It was one of those life changing movies.  The main character is a not necessarily sleazy guy, but works really hard to make a deal.  Including ripping off the customer.  He has a God epiphany and vows to change his life.  It would not be an inspirational movie if things did not work out for him.

The dialogue was pretty funny and made some of the characters seem outrageous.  One of the funniest scenes is one I am not sure is possible, but it was a pretty good gag.  The message is good.  Everything is the LORD's.  It will work out, maybe not in an expected way.  In a way that I have just enough to trust Him again.

It was a pretty good movie and worth watching if you have the chance.  It has a lot to offer.  A whole car lot.

Hey, y'all watch this!

A year or so ago I was given a nice watch as a present from the company I do some work for.  It was their 90th anniversary and to commemorate they gave out watches.  I wear a watch if I have one.  The watches I had in the past, the battery died and I am too cheap to have it fixed.  Back to the watch at hand, it is a nice watch.  It has the metal links.  I usually get the cheaper material, but it was a gift so okay.

One day Joy was playing with the watch.  Wendy said you might want to get that from her.  The words, "I do not think she can mess it up," barely exited my mouth when Joy dropped it.  The clear face cover was cracked.  It still runs fine.  So I still wear it.

Fast forward to this morning or rewind dependent on when this read.  I was walking along and my arm swung out.  Right into the door jamb.  I am fine, but the watch face is not.  The watch must have hit the metal side of the door frame.  It shattered that plastic piece.  Amazingly, to me, the watch is keeping time.  It is just open access.  I wonder how long it will be before I hit it on something to disrupt the laying on of hands.

Time will tell.

Life is but a dream

I do not remember most of my dreams.  If I remember having a dream, then what happens fades pretty quickly.        I might have a general idea, but then cannot remember.  I have a feeling there were certain people in some kind of situation.  To my knowledge I have never had the naked in public dream.

I do not hear to many people talk about dreams.  The sleep kind that is.  It used to be a big thing in psychology circles.  I am in the introduction of a dream analysis book.  I thought it might be interesting.  Of course it has to say well this is what that can mean or it may mean something different.  One part in the book talked about how Freud thought everything dealt with sex.  Objects refer to men and women.

I do not think most of my dreams have a focus of an object.  Maybe that is why I cannot remember them.  They are that boring.

Dream on.

Conflict of interest

No, I am not  interested in conflicted.  Yes, I will privately complain.  However, in the heat of battle I tend to cool down.  Not really the level headed cool.   More like the game where you are looking for something and when far off hear, "Cold.  Colder."  In moments of frustration my instinct is to shut down.  Retreat to the Job defense, 'It would be better off if I was not born.'  It is ironic that in trying to appease everyone I end up disappointing everyone.

I know that some forms of conflict are needed.  Conflict makes a person take new responsibility.  Or makes him reach for a new level.  The key to difference is not to treat the person different.  Of course not everyone can get the end he wants.  A conflict should not end in a causality.

I think that is why there are different people in the world.  If the world was only made up of mes, then the murder rate would probably be one hundred percent.

Line item

This past weekend I had two bizarre customer experiences.  I have had some strange ones in the past.

Friday afternoon, after getting off work I head to a drug store chain to pick up some pictures for Wendy.  She had a coupon for a great deal on pictures.  So I arrive and see the photo counter.  No one is around.  There is a cashier at the front helping people.  I stand around for five minutes wondering what is going on.  Still no one.  I see the alphabetical bins and know Wendy's pictures are there and I even know my last name.  So after waiting I head to the cashier.  She says let me page someone for you.  I hear the announcement, "Customer needs assistance at photo."  I think ok, that should do it.  Five more minutes pass by and no one.  I wanted to head behind the counter and pick up the photos myself.
Then a woman who has been shopping since I have been waiting asks if anyone has helped me.  I say I am still waiting.  She says let me tell the cashier.  She mentions it to the cashier.  The cashier makes another announcement.  After two minutes an employee comes up.   He gets my name and hands me the pictures.  As the transaction is nearing the end, another employee comes up.  I think this guy is the regular photo operator because he says he was on his fifteen.  Would not a store have a back up counter worker for a department?  Oh well I got the photos.

Experience two.  Wendy and I and family ran out for a few minutes on Saturday night.  It was already close to bedtimes, but circumstances forced us into the open.  While out we thought we would pick up some much need grocery items.  We head to America's Family Empire...Wal of Shame.  We find our items and proceed to check out.  We do our normal find the short line that turns into the longer line.  The guy in front of us realizes he has left his wallet in the car.  So he goes out to get and it and the cashier checks us out. 
After checkout, the a store employee is checking the items purchase against the receipt.  We stand in a line of four.  He is rooting through a customer's buggy.  Seems like he is taking forever.  Finally one down.  The next guy he checks his purchases.  Then the third.  Right as we get up to the associate, he turns and walk off.  So we had to stand there for five minutes for you to check other purchases and he does not even bother to check ours.  In my mind it seems that we wanted for nothing.  However, if we had tried to go past I am sure we would have been stopped.  Oh well we made it home and to bed.

It seems those quick trips involve slow falls.

Nasally voice

The past day or so I have not quite felt right.  My nose has been burning and somewhat leaky.  The build up has also backed up into my head.  Giving me a little bit of a headache.  It is amazing what the nose can produce.  I can it come in all forms, liquid, solid, well maybe not so much gas, but loosely based on sneezing.

A runny nose can be irritating.  I am sure it looks disgusting with a trail hanging down.  It does not feel the greatest as well.  If you blow a nose too much then it gets sore.  The nose can effect taste.  Sometimes one can get so stopped up that the voice is barely heard or gets pretty deep.  I think I have heard someone say he waited until he was sick and then updated his answering machine.

I suppose there are worse things to have.

Well I guess it is time to scratch and sniff.  As according to urban dictionary, they used to say in the 1990s- Smell you later.

Memories are as good as the time

I thought I had a blog post in mind, but now cannot remember it.  Oh well.

That happens to me frequently.  I will come up with something and think it sounds good to me.  Then when it comes time to use it, I cannot remember what it is.

I am one that reacts to the present.  The future catches me off guard and the past surprises me.  When it does come to the present, I have the gift of oblivion.

Most people handle memories out of context. Pretty much like that sentence.  Looking back it is easier to think of something as being better or worse than it was at the time.  Which is good because it leads us to want to do it again, to achieve the results we actually want.

Mother May 1

Is it a sign of great respect when you honor someone after the fact or just a sign of not getting around to it.  A few days ago was Mother's Day.  A time to honor women.  Translation a bigger gift than what we usually give them.

Mothers are different breed.  They have the instinct to take of children, any children.  They have to do a lot.  Wiping noses, even when it is gross.  Kissing boo-boos, even when the child was told repeatedly to stop doing that.  Staying awake with a fussy child, even when the husband is fast asleep.

So thank you mothers.  We need you.  I need you.  So when we do not say we love you enough, know that you are loved because you are the ones we turn to.

On a personnel note, thanks to the one woman who works so hard for me and cares for my daughters.  Wendy, I love you.  Most of the time she even claims me.

Step one

A couple of Sundays ago during the worship service the choir sang a song with the chorus "One Step."  Besides being a catchy tune, it does have a good message.

Where would we be without that one step. 

The baby begins walking.

The first career.

The bride coming to meet her husband.

Sometimes life does require us to run at a full (some may say fool) pace, but it begins with one step.  I am not sure I would want to see my life all mapped out.  Okay, sometimes I would.  I do think if I saw it I would never do anything.

The best thing in life to is to take one step at a time.  It can be to move forward or to step back and reevaluate.

Ava story to tell

Well.  Ava Noel Parker entered the world a week ago.  The circumstances of this birth are more lucid.  Of course it did happen a week ago.  This time I had camera in hand.  It was interesting to hear during the procedure the doctor say, "Ok, Dad.  Stand up."  I got a photo of the doctor and nurse holding Ava from the womb.  Is it still called a womb even with a C-section?  How about place of origination?

Wendy is a trooper, as always.  She had some elevated blood pressure toward the end, which threw a kink in some planning issues.  The end result did turn out.

I had forgotten how many diapers one changes with a newborn.  I suppose all babies doo it, but Ava is notorious for causing a diaper change during a diaper change.  If you know what I mean.  And the squiggling.  It is different changing a newborn's diaper and an almost two year old's diaper.

Joy is handling the arrival pretty well.  She enjoys Ava in the bouncer and wants to make sure Ava has plenty of "moosic."

I am sure there will be many adventures of two Parker girls running around.

Customers Enjoy Opportunities

I recently read a book about seven CEOs who did great things with their companies.  The author implied that the growth of their businesses was because of the customer.  It is important to listen to the one you are trying to get money from.  Too often a customer can be viewed as a cusstomer.

I am not in business, but the service attitude can be applied to all relationships.  If you treat people like you want to provide the very best for them, then the relationship will go smoothly.  There is a difference in being taken advantage of.  A key to life if recognizing what people want and taking time to listen to it.

Of course being extremely driven did not hurt these CEOs in finding a profit margin.

Labor party

No, I do not follow British  politics.

The title is close because in a few days, we will have a new addition to the family.  Wendy will be having a c-section to introduce Ava to the outside world.

People keep asking, "Are you ready?"  I think I am.  However, what do I truly have to do?  Encourage Wendy, prepare space for Ava, provide material goods, provide love and guidance.  I guess I will have my life and everyone else involved to get ready.

This process will probably be different than the first.  Hopefully no eighteen hours of waiting for labor not a five day hospital stay.  I am hoping for the end result.  A second beautiful little girl.

Even though Wendy cannot eat past midnight the night before the morning surgery, I will have eat so I do not (with ringing in my ears) hear, "Get this idiot some orange juice."

Shopping tripped up

A few days ago Wendy asked me to go to the grocery store.  She handed me a list of things needed.  So off I went to our chain.

Shopping does make me nervous.  I try to get the most for my limited money.  So a cheap price does appeal to me.  I love looking at  the bargain section.  If it is marked down, I will eyeball it.  I also wonder if I am buying the right item.  Is it the brand that is liked?  Did I misread the label and get the wrong item completely?

I think Wendy likes me to do the shopping sometimes because I do come back with a goodie or two.  Of course the price was reduced.  I do try and "treat" Wendy right.

Blinded

A little while ago Wendy was in the house adjustment mode.  You will notice I said Wendy.  In our bedroom we had some old blinds hanging.  They were old and misshapen and almost destroyed thanks to a teething cat.  So we figured it was time to update.  I took the blinds down.  We did not have anything permanent to put up and it was late in the evening.  So I put a sheet as a curtain.  the sheet remained longer than it should have.

Finally Wendy had enough.  We had some extra blinds from other home improvement adventures.  However, two of the three were the wrong size.  Of course our window is a double window so it takes two.  WE had only one.  So we venture to retail world to purchase another set of blinds.

I attempt to hang the blinds.  In all honesty it was not bad once Wendy got through my thick skull the position of the piece that screws into the wall.  I could not figure out how that thing went.  Three hissy fits (mine) and five explanations (Wendy) it was up.  Fortunately, I was able to use previous hole so the installment was not too bad.

The blinds are up and the important thing is that Wendy is satisfied.

Looking a gift card in the mouth

Mainly I am writing this because this post will be the next hundred.  I cannot bear to see that 99.

Most of the rewards given today come in gift card form.  I think because suppliers know they will not be used or to get what you want to purchase you always have to put down more money.

I have received a couple of gift cards recently.  One of them is only to the company that gave it to me.  I am referring to my wireless phone company.  Wendy updated her phone.  She turned in the old one for a $30 gift card.  It can only be used with the supplier.  Wendy had a good point...she said they gave us money so we will would give right back to them.

Why not just make it easy and apply it to our bill?  That is what I am going to do anyway.

It is all about the illusion.  I am giving you "free money" yet it is still mine. Sounds bizarre, part of it a little frustrating.  I would love to spend it elsewhere.  I guess that is what God does, if you think about it.  He is Giver of all gifts.  We have a choice of what to do with it.  We can spend it elsewhere or give it back to Him.  Yet in this case, it truly accounts for something.

Ring my Bell

You have heard we all scream for ice cream.  Occasionally I scream at the price.  Yet that is another story.

Wendy and I have found a nice ice cream to try.  It is Blue Bell.  We were driving down I40 returning to Cary when I saw a billboard.  "What is Blue Bell ice cream?" I ask.  Wendy said it was new ice cream in our area.  Supposed to be very good.  A few days later we were in the grocery store.  There was the ice cream.  It featured many flavors.  Yet the price was high.  We bit the bullet and bought some.  We tried Banana Split.

The ice cream was pretty good. Enough for us to try more flavors.  Wendy went to the website and printed off a coupon.  A dollar off!  Enough music to my ears for an encore.  This time we are trying Kentucky Delight.  We wanted Triple Dessert, but our store did not have it.

The good news is we have one more coupon.  Wendy is also on the list to receive coupons each month.  Thanks Blue Bell for your great taste.  First, of the ice cream and then giving your customers coupons.

Ticked off

Last night I was sitting on the couch, doing some reading and contemplating getting some sleep.  Then my left leg begin to itch.  So I hike up my pants leg.  I noticed a brown spot on my upper leg.  I had seen it earlier in the day, but thought it was a scratch of some kind.  So later that night on second thought I investigated.

I prodded at the spot and felt minor resistance.  I thought to myself that is weird.  Then it dawned on me this might be a tick.  I pulled with my hand, but it did not come up.  I thought maybe some alcohol will do it.  The only alcohol we have in the house is rubbing alcohol.  So I rub at the bloodthirsty creature.  It does not come up.  I retrieve a pair of tweezers and give a pull.  I pull up the speck and receive a confirmation.  It is a tick!  I look for a controlled place to burn it.  Wendy suggests a candle.  I proceed to roast the weenie.

To my knowledge, that is the first tick I have had attached to me.  I think one another time I have had one crawling on me.  It is a little concerning because I hear of the effects of a tick bite.  So far I see and feel a red bump.  Hopefully that will be all.

Be-Lame Game

I do not follow politics.  I usually have no idea what is going on.  However, I saw in the news a war of words on the House budget.  The President had not so kind things to say about the proposal.  The chair in charge of the budget had a rebuttal.  Yet, I feel it was a weak argument.  All the chair said was the President was lying.  Come on.  Can you not come up with something better than that?!  Talk about what you are doing, not call somebody names.  If you want to cut the massive spending, own up to it.

Same way with healthcare.  Those on the right, say "Crucify, crucify!"  Do not just say you are going to repeal it, come up with something better.  If you create a vacuum then something worse may fill it.

If you call someone an idiot, then you are both being idiots.  Do something so the voters will remember you.  Preferably, something positive.  That way when they see a solution, they will say oh yeah, that is the guy I want to follow.  If you have to resort to attacks on others, then you have nothing.

Of course all this is my opinion, which is why I am not in office.  Guess this shows I have nothing.

Note worthy

I was not blessed with good handwriting.  Okay, it is probably I do not take the time to work on my handwriting.  I have the hardest time reading what I just wrote down.  There has been many times when I find a note I left myself, only unable to decipher it.  Or I see a fragment and think what does "Milwaukee" mean?  It is easy to when leaving yourself a note say I will recognize the reference.  Yet the next time I look at the note, I have no idea what I was trying to mean.

So happy paper trails to you.

Cross in your fingers

I am fall from a theologian, even though I did go to divinity school.  I had a great thought in my mind, or at least it seemed like a great one to me.  Of course it was a week or two ago and now I am cannot express it.  Here is some kind of effort.

I was thinking about the cross.  It being close to Good Friday.  I do not think about the cross very often.  I do not own any cross memorabilia nor have any special attachment to it. The empty cross decorates many churches and is a witness to many people.  In thinking about it, the cross is a good reminder.  Hopefully I will not say anything too heretical.

The cross is a reminder that sometimes you have to suffer.  It is a instrument of pain.  Even the Bible says we are to carry our cross.

The empty cross is a sign of victory.  I know this is a reach, but I was reminded that it looks like a sword stuck in the ground.  In my mind, the sword is at rest.  So victory is achieved.

The empty cross is a sign of God's providence.  Things will work out.  Maybe in the short term not as you wish.  Jesus had to hang on for awhile, but is not there now.  Men in power tried to use the cross as an end (of Jesus' physical life), but God used it as a beginning (salvation for more people than Jesus could have touched humanly).  People have one thing in mind and God has another.  I think there is a verse in the Bible about a saying you intended this for evil, but God was able to use it.  *Side note...I looked it up, thanks internet, to see it referred to Joseph when he had been sold into slavery by his brothers.*

Easter is a big time of year for Christians.  It is about the reminder of God's promise.  God will be with us through the rough times.  God has something better for us.  Just look at that empty cross and then into your full heart.

Rush decision

I do not particularly follow current events, but I do hear snippets.  I saw that a group of sponsors are pulling out support from the Rush Limbaugh Show.  Apparently he made rude comments directed to a young woman.  My thought is that Rush is paid to be controversial.  That is why people listen to him.  His fans because they agree and people who hate him because they want him to say something that can use as a sound bite.

Granted what he said is mean and probably uncalled for, but so what.  I have heard that a couple of professional people have been fired for saying things.  However, what if we were held to strict standards.  Think how many points on our licenses we would have for calling other drivers jerks or even worse.

I know that people need to watch what they say and not be so mean to one another.  At the same time, people need to learn to not take name calling so seriously.  I know that bullying is a serious case and another matter, before you say something negative to me.  I guess it is best to keep your comments to yourself or someone close who will not make it public.  With the access to social media, that can be tough.

Identity Crisis

The other day I get a call from Wendy.  She says that some representative from a credit card collection agency is calling to speak with me.  The representative tells Wendy that I have opened a Sears card.  Wendy tries to assure the person this is not the case, but to no avail.

So I get online at Sears to see if I have such a card.  I want to know what Sears has on me before I can the credit card company.  I have gotten this automated messages in the past and just hang up because I know I have not opened a card.  I track down a number to call and check about the Sears credit card.  To my amazement, the automated voice says I have a card.  To my astonishment it says I have a balance...of $1800.  So I speak to a human representative.  Looks like someone bought a 60 inch Panasonic television and PlayStation 3.

Apparently, I am a victim of identity theft. The people I talk to are really nice.  They ask for information and say the account will be closed.  I am, thankfully, not responsible for the charges.  I will have to fill out some additional information to send it.  My credit report now has a seven year advisement on it.  I do not do much with my credit anyway.

A couple of things get me.  One...the person had my name and social security number, but put another address.  How did that pass the application stage?  Do they not check to see it matches up?  Two...how did the person get credit in my name when I cannot even get credit.  I have only applied for one card and I was declined because I did not have enough credit.

I guess you have to give credit where credit is due.

Taken in tablet form

I really desire to get a tablet.
"Oh, really?  Why do you want one?"
Because they are cool.
"Come on.  Anyone who says 'cool' is not with it.  Would you actually use it?"
Sure.  I think.
"Do you know how to use it?"
Um, not right now.
"Can you afford one?"
Um, not right now.
"Do you know which one you want?"
Not really.
"I can see why you do not have one."

Okay, you caught me.   I want to be the next Moses.  Here is the 11th commandment.  Only kidding.

It would be really nice to have a tablet.  I do think they look interesting.  I am not sure which one I would want.  I am leaning toward one with a bigger screen.  However, they are more expensive and I am cheap.  If the idea is to carry one around, would the bigger screen make sense?  I do not always make sense though, talk to Wendy and be prepared to listen a long time on that one.

I am hoping with all the new technology and companies fighting to produce tablets that the price will come down.  Right now my breaking point is $200 and I would love to pay less than that.   Way less.  At least waiting will give me a chance to save up my money.

Right now I will just have to dream and want one.  The price of the tablet and my indecision is a tough one to swallow.

Jokes on me

Have you ever had a thought that was hilarious to you, but you try and retell it only to have the other person look at you like you are crazy.  Then to hear, "I don't get it."  Unfortunately, that happens to me most of the time.

Humor is definitely a contextual thing.  It is because it is relational.  The punchline happened to us or we are glad it happened to someone else.  Without context the joke is lost.  Most of the comedians today focus on the observation style.  If  the material is not familiar then most people will not enjoy the routine.  Experience is a main part of humor.  Those who experience life are often the ones with the sense of humor.

The key to being funny is taking an ordinary situation and making a person see another side.  If one can do that, then he can laugh all the way to the bank.

Balance beam to the head

I saw some headline saying that a news reporting radio network now wants to consider its reporting to be "fair and balanced."  Of course this is also one of the slogans of a television network.  The radio station and the television station are on opposite sides of the political viewpoint.

My hypothesis is that people do not really care about fair and balanced news.  They will watch or listen to the program because it agrees with them.  We want to be informed about our opinions we already have.  Sure the program may have a guest from across the aisle, but most of the time it is the host yelling over the guest.  The majority of people have their favorite.  Most of the time that favorite is what they already believe.

Well, of course, there is the main reason people watch a certain program.  They think the host is hot.

Lament jello

Alright, this has been on of those weeks.  Fortunately, not one where everything bad is happening, but one where I question my life's purpose.  I will be the first to admit that I do not have any initiative.  That could be why I am lamenting my situation right now. 

I look around and see all that people have.  Not that I do not want them to have it or I want it for myself, but just the opportunity.  It is interesting to see all the gadgets people have, the fancy trips they seem to always take, or even the expensive restaurants they say are their "favorite".

I do have a pretty good life.  A wife who loves.  A well behaved child, the majority of the time.  A job and place to live.  Although they could be better.

I know you get what you put in.  It is one of those times where I wish I had put in more.  I admit I am ready to receive what I wished I put in.

I do know that wishing is like jello, it just slips through your hands.

Garbage in, Keys out

Friday, in our neighborhood, is trash day.  Part of the money I pay to the Town of Cary goes to garbage pickup.  The container is one of those large plastic bins on wheels.  Basically, a large rolling trash can.  I try to put the container on the curb on Thursday night, so no to wake Wendy by rolling the thing at 6 am past the bedroom window.  I try to be considerate, especially when she says do not be a moron.  So the trash can is on the curb.

As I am getting ready to leave the house, I see a paper cup and some other trash that I missed when taking out the bag.  The leftover trash fits nicely into the cup.  So out the door I go with my lunch, keys, and trash in hand.  I go up to the container and try to lift the lid.  I throw it up, since it is connected, to try and drop in the trash.  Part of the trash goes in, some falls to the ground.  So I pick it up and try again.  This time along with the trash, my keys go into the container.  Of course they fall to the bottom.  I put my items on my car and try to dig out the keys.  I just cannot reach.  So I have to lean over the trash can.  Somehow the keys defy gravity and end up on the top of the bottom of the container.   So I have to dig through all the trash to find my keys.  I have to crawl into the trash can.  Plus I have to get on the ground and it is wet, so now the knees on my pants are wet.

I was able to get my keys without making too much of a mess.  However, it was just another example of the annoyances I have faced this week.

Feeling weak

This has not been a great week for me.  It has definitely rained on my parade and I am not sure if it is rain.  I have had the three strike rule this week.  Especially in the area of shelling out money.

Toward the end of last week, I started feeling nauseous and extremely tired.  I do not think it was the big virus, but it was something.  Off and on this week, my nose has gone from being stopped up to running.

For a couple of days I noticed my brakes were making a horrible noise when pressed.  I figured it was time to get them checked.  My car was taken to the shop and I had to have new pads put on.  The old ones were metal to metal.  I was hoping for one figure and received another.

Last week I sent in an application.  I noticed on the website that the place to send it to did not have a zip code.  When I looked it up on the post office website, it was not a valid address.  I thought that is weird, but still sent it.  The application was due on the 22nd by 5:00 pm.  This was the 16th.  Plenty of time, right?  Ha.  Of course Monday was a holiday.  So Tuesday, uh the 22nd, after 5:00 what do I see when I check my mail.  My application in my mailbox, with a sticker saying non deliverable address.  I call the place to see what can be done.  The person on the phone says well as long as it is posted marked by the date, it will be accepted.  However, the post office is already closed.  So I ask can I fax it.  She gives me the number, but is very non committal.  I rush over to work to fax the document.  This is around 5:30.  I see the time stamp say 6:24 pm, but do not think  much about it.  I should have just put the thing the mail with the old label.  I plan to call the next morning and make sure the fax was received.  However, I get tied up at work and receive a call from Wendy.  "Don't bother."  Because the application was not received in time, it is null and void.  Pardon!!!!???  I could have mailed it and you receive days later, but it I fax it the day off and 30 minutes after it is void.  What kind of cow droppings out a rodent's posterior is that?  Wendy pleaded with the lady, because she called the house.  I guess she saw caller id, because the application had another number.  We were depressed, needless to say.

Yesterday, within the first hour of work, my glasses fall off my face into two pieces.  Just snapped and not evenly so I could tape or glue them.  So I had to scramble to get new glasses because I cannot see without them.  The place I previously purchased glasses said the old pair could not be salvaged.  I had to track down my prescription, of course it was expired.  Fortunately, the eye doctor was able to work me in for an eye exam.  My vision had not changed that much.  So it was the cost of a copay.  Then after work Wendy helped me pick out new frames.  She wanted me to get new glasses for several years, but we have not had the chance.  Now is the time.  We pick out the new frames and have to spend $250 by the time it is over.  You may know this, but glasses are expensive.

For those keeping score at home.  My glasses broke and my application was rejected the same day.

Well at least today is Friday.  Hopefully, that is some good news.

What is in store?

The other day Wendy was organizing the house.  She wanted to make room for Ava.  A challenge, considering the design of our house and the items strewn in the house.  Wendy was ready to go through older items and find them a new home.  She went through piles of clothing and commented to me, "I found stuff I didn't know I even had."  Local thrift store, expect some goodies from us in the near future.

I am not much of a collector.  Sure I used to buy comics and CDs.  I am more of a setter aside.  I get something and just put it aside thinking I will use it again.  My definition of use it again often becomes when I have to move it because it is in my way or in Wendy's way.  Wendy while cleaning found a pile of older clothes of mine, that I set aside thinking I would use them around the house.  Ha ha.  They are only sitting around the house.

As long as items are piled together, it does not bother me as much.  Then I tend not to see them until forced to look at it.

I guess the phrase "Use it or lose it" is true.  If something is not used, then it does become lost in a pile of junk.  Or to misquote Wendy, "One man's junk is...in my way!"

Snow what?

Alright, you winter wonderland walkers, it is your turn.  Last night we received some frozen precipitation.  The  first of the year for our area.  According to last year, we are really behind, but that is okay with me.  I would prefer to not see the snow. If it does come, I want it to be gone by the time I need to head to work.  Not because I love work, because I do not want a hassle in getting there.

Today would be a good day for a delay, because the traditional school calendar already has the day off.  Plus it is a federal holiday.  So traffic should be light to began with.

I do not think this weather will last long.  The roads are wet and the snow is on the grass.  The good news is that it is above freezing.

My question is why have the past two Sundays been so cold?  Would not with "Sun" in your name mean nice weather?  It is supposed to happen this Sunday again, with the week in the 60s and Sunday in the 40s.

Give them an inch, it will slow things down a mile.

I love you more today than yesterday

But only because I  have to.  Only kidding.

Today is Valentine's Day.  A day when you are supposed to tell others how you feel about them. Well the positive things at least.  Some see it as a time of loneliness.  However, you always have someone.

Sure, people say that Valentine's Day was created to make money.  "It is too commercial."   So what?!  Tell that special someone how you feel and show him or her.  Okay, maybe, he/she would rather have the expensive toy or fancy feast than spend time with you.  That is okay too because you are the one who puts the toy together and comforts him or her when not feeling well.

I guess you can tell I do not have any money to spend on a valentine...

Happy Valentine's Day Wendy, Joy, and Ava.

Looking forward to the tomorrow.

Tough pill to swallow

Greetings to those in the present and to those in the future,

What is the vendetta against our future generation?  All the talk about abortion and birth control pills, is someone trying to catch them coming and going?  I thought children where our future.  If they do make it, they are going to be upset.  I do not follow the news closely, so I only hear random things.  Like most men, I only hear what I want to hear.

I do not understand this new or is it former mandate about birth control pills being offered without a copay.  I do not take them, so I do not know much about them.  My thought is, is there not a more important drug to do without a copay?!  I have no idea of how insurance works, but if now it is thought the insurance company will do it for free?  Think again.  There will be a different cost.  I am not a business person, but if I offer something free to my customers, I am charging them elsewhere.

Should insurance be reformed?  Probably.  Unfortunately, there is no magic little pill.

I could be the worst person in the world

There, at least to me, are three ways to look at evil in the world.  Or the way people do bad things.  The easiest is when people do outright evil things.  It is just because they can.  The second is when people want to do good but evil happens anyway.  I do not fully understand the whole Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood thing, but in my mind that may be what is happening.  The third one, which I am guilty of, is doing nothing.  People who do not care enough to act.  I admit I am apathetic most of the time.  If it does not directly affect me then it is not my business.  Sure, I will give my commentary to Wendy.  However, I will not do anything.  I am probably high on the list of doing nothing.

When one does nothing could be the worst because it involves the most numbers.  If people do care and act, change can happen.  Ask SGK, Verizon, and other companies who tried to make a change customers did not like.

What is good and evil?  I am not an expert on that.  Is the majority always right?  Not really.  Will people who get involved do the right thing?  Sometimes not.

We are called to act.  It is important to act on what one believes.  I believe I care for my wife, but she does not know until I act on it.

The JOY of fatherhood

It certainly seems that having babies is the popular thing to do.

Wendy has put up some posts about the progress of Joy recently.  I guess I should put up a least one, since I have not in awhile.

It is amazing to me what a mimic Joy is.  She loves to cough after someone.  Bye-bye is a favorite phrase to repeat when the phone is hung up.  I am not quite sure where she picked up this, but Joy will hold the phone to her ear, throw back her head, and exclaim "Hmm.  Oh!"

Joy loves trying to climb on the couch.  She can lift one leg, but cannot quite get high enough to get on the couch.  She can extend on her tiptoes and pull things down.  Fortunately, more often than not she will put it back, if you ask her to.

It is a heartwarming encounter to have Joy be happy to see me after a day at work.  I try to get on the floor and play with her.  She enjoys reclining against me and trying to sit on my lap.  At least until something else gets her attention.

Joy enjoys bringing books to read and looking through them herself.  When I try to read to her, she likes to explore the room.  Must be my reading style.

So far fatherhood has been a good experience.  I hope the good outweigh the bad.  Soon I will have a whole new experience with another girl...

Survey the area

I recently took a survey for a company.  The majority of the questions were the same, only worded another way. Is that annoy to you?

If you had to read multiple questions dealing with the same subject would you be irritated if they are worded differently?

To be honest, I am not a big fan of those questions that want you to answer with a range of emotion.

Strongly agree.

Money, like grass, is greener on the other side

I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about money.  I can spend it occasionally, well more than I like.  However, I cannot seem to keep more than I like.

It seems that a wealthy presidential contender pays a tax rate that is below what some Americans pay, yet he has loads more money.  Money is a subject which raises many people's interest.  Especially when another person has more.  A first thought is why does that person have so much and the second thought is how can I get some of it.

Due to the severe outlook of the economy, the majority of our leaders seem to be talking about what is fair.  I did not listen to the speech but apparently the President talked about people getting what their fair share.  What does that mean?  At first glance, it seems that everyone should be equal in the amount of money.  However, if I look at my demented worldview then it would be fair that some people make less and others make more.


Do I want to work harder for my money?  NO!  Am I jealous of people with money?  PROBABLY!  Should it be a motivation to make myself more successful?  YES!  Now I know that money is the answer to success.  It is all about what you do with it that makes you a success.

To my limited understanding, if you truly wanted to be fair, then have a flat tax.  Everyone pays the same percentage.  That is fair.  Of course the rates are going to be skewed because it is harder for a person making $10,000 to pay that 15% than someone making one million.


I am not sure of what the answer is.  I am not sure what the question is either.  That is why people make the big bucks and I seem to spend it.

Putting the Kart before the horsepower

Last night I went to a go kart establishment for a guys' night out.  A friend threw a surprise birthday party.  I do not know the last time I have driven a go kart before last night.  To be honest, I am not much of a driver.  It looked a little intimidating.  People were putting on caps and helmets.  There was the briefing room.  I wondered if I would get claustrophobic in the harness.  Plus what if I had to go to the bathroom?  We even had to sign some release form.

They call our group back to the briefing room.  The attendant flies through the meaning of the flags and signs.  We put on our gear.  The head cap, helmet, and neck brace.  Then we get into the go karts.  It is five minutes of warm up, five minutes of qualifying, and ten minutes of bogeity bogeity.

The track is full of turns.  I worry I may spin out.  I never did.  The dumbest thing I did was pit too early.  I saw a red light after the first part and thought they wanted us to pit.  Turns out I was wrong.  I am sure the attendants thought I was a dummy.

I was the slowest one out there.  So I started in the last position.  After a few laps I did pass someone.  I think he got tired and just slowed down.  However, there was no way I was catching up to the rest of the group.  They were too far ahead.  I was hoping I would not get lapped, but right at the end the leader passed me and then they waved the checkered flag.

We were given a printout of our times.  I did improve since the warmup, but was still five seconds behind everybody.  I do not know how they did it.

It was fun, but I not really my style.  Once we got out of the karts everyone was saying they could not see how professional race car drivers do it.  It was a little tough on the body.  I was slung around some.

I am not sure how I received it, but I have a bruise or scrape on my tailbone.  Probably where my butt was kicked in racing.

Throw the book at me

I read a line in a book that read "everyone has a book in them."  I wonder if that is true?  I think it would be neat to write one.  However, I am not exact;y the best at communicating my thoughts.  Especially on paper.  When I write I am under the assumption no one will read it, least of all me.

All that being written, I have come up with an idea four a book.  It is about success.  There are a lot of books on finding success out there.  So why not one more?  This one looks at success from the roles of a family.  The marketing part is that once I do one, it can lead into another.  Most of the books are written off one another anyway.  I have in no way fleshed it out, but I have the simple premise.

I think the title will be FourFill Your Life.  It looks at success in the four roles of a family.  Admittedly, this is only a representation family.  The Father, Mother, Baby, and Pet.

Father- The responsible one.  Does the tasks of provision.  Decision maker.
Mother- Compassion.  Emotional needs.  Caretaker.
Baby- Centered on personal needs.
Pet- Loyal

I think if you apply these aspects to your life you will be successful.  How?  Read the book.  If I can think how to write it.

Square peg in a round hole

Everyone talks about the way to success is being a well rounded person.  I do not have in the mind the physical kind, but the one who can do it all.  Some work experts say that is not the way to be.

A couple of books that I have read recently on strengths in a life and workplace, have studies to show that it is okay to focus on one thing.  It is okay to be known for that one thing.  Hey, it worked for the "one hit wonders."  Studies cite examples of children who made an A in one subject and a lower grade in another, but the parent focused on improving the low grade.  The premise of the books was to focus on that one thing to increase that strength.

Not to say that you totally forego everything else.  That would not be wise.  It is important to have people around you who can fill in the gaps.  Even the Bible talks about that with the body in I Corinthians 12.

So remember it is okay to be number one.

Thank you, Google!

Wow!

Google just saved me 8 hours.  My e-mail account sent me a reminder that I do not have to go into work today.

Technology is nice.  I have to use the auto feature to remember the websites I visit.  It really saves me a lot of time.

Of course technology is only useful when it works.  If it does not, then it is a monument to a failure.  The machine or the person behind it?  I will let you "Google" that.

Have a good day being off work, if you are.  If not then keep up with others who are not at work.

Failure of resolve leads to old problems

It is that time of year again.  Time to re-evaluate the good, bad, and ugly.  I can already feel my anticipation waning.  I am not a goal oriented person.  I know what I need to do and I do it, if it is short term and not too stressing.  Sure I like to dream about a brighter future.  The difficult part for me is thinking up steps to actually make it materialize.  I fall into routine or lack the initiative to follow through.  They are called ruts because one occupies the same space everyday.

Perhaps that should be new resolve.  To have more resolve.  I tend to give up when it gets tough.  I see the 45 minute prep time and not the 5 minutes of enjoying the dessert.

The thing about life is getting out what is put into it.  I know that I have "lucked" or been blessed into things.  Most, if not all, I have has been given to me.  What do I bring to a relationship?  A lot of times it seems not much.

However, life requires active participation.  If I want a handout, I have to make sure my hand has been emptied by giving to someone else.

Maybe 2012 will be my year of drive and then I can enjoy the ride.

Read the signs

First off a question.  Why when I visit certain websites that require a login name and password is the Remember me button checked but grayed out, yet I still have to type in my information?

Happy New Year.  Unfortunately, it is the same old me.  So far this new year is not getting to a good start.  Joy has not quite been herself.  She developed  a little bit of a runny nose.

Since it is the New Year, it is a time of introspection.  Something I am not good at all.  The sermon from church referred to setting a vision.  I am not goal oriented.  People that are able to write down goals and pursue them are ones that I admire.  I talk about how great it would be to change my circumstances, but I do not put any action behind them.

Will 2012 be the year of change?  I am hoping for paper money!

Surrounded in the Red Sea

Last night Wendy and I, along with some friends, went to see the Campbell University Men's Basketball team play NC State.  It seems that Campbell is having a good year.  Well, they were for awhile.  I think they have dropped four straight, but won their first eight games.  It used to be that Campbell was known to not score well and lose badly.  They did alright against the Wolfpack last night.

I have a few observations.  First, I enjoyed the free parking.  The game was at Reynolds.  I have never been there.  It was a packed house.  An announcement was made that the game was a sell out.  I saw a few seats open.  It was general seating, which was a little hectic.  We had okay seats.  We were to the side and behind some bleachers that were set up.  Fortunately, we could still see the action.

I was surprised how many fouls there were.  There were even two technical against Campbell.  I have no idea what for, but you know how the Baptists are.  One State player did pull down a Campbell player.  It was pretty funny.  It seemed like the referees were calling everything.  The game came down to free throws.  Most of the game the Camels and the Wolfpack were trading shots.  State's offense was off the first half.  Campbell could score when they had a chance.  So the game was tied going into half time.  One of my favorite quotes was from an exasperated State fan, "Great, we are winning."

The second half Campbell lost their shooting momentum and went cold.  State hit their free throws and was able to open a lead.  The Camels did hang on, but lost by six.  The game was close until the last five minutes.  I think a lot of State fans respected Campbell, after knowing State won of course.  On the ride back home, Wendy and I heard the State commentators talking how well Campbell did.  They even said Campbell has some of the top scorers in their division.  Wow.

It is amazing to see the types of people at the games.  You definitely feel the fans presence.  Wendy got into the game pretty well.  She let out some loud cheers for the Camels.  Maybe sometime we will make it to a Campbell home game.

I saw this elderly woman navigating the aisles, barely.  She was  holding popcorn in one hand and the rail with other.  I thought she would fall over any minute.  She was at a slow pace the whole way and then disappeared. A few minutes later she came walking by again.  I wondered what she was up to.

The game was pretty fun.  I can see why people attend them.  Those are some tickets that it is nice to get.

Just blow the dust off

Is it me or does our generation just bring things back in style?  I have to ask because all the television shows and movies are remakes?  It seems like all the books have just been revised?

Is it some smart ploy to make it look like we are actually doing something?

Or is the writer of Ecclesiastes right that "there nothing new under the sun."

Making it presentable

Dear Santa's elves,

Merry Christmas!

Christmas or should I say pre-Christmas brings out the decorator instinct in people.  I admit I am not a big fan of decorations.  It is mainly because I do not like additional work.  I do not enjoy dragging them out, setting them up, and then taking it down to store it.  Plus I am not creative and do not have the decorative eye.  It is hard for me to recognize when something is straight and is it the right color.

Why do people love decorations?  Why do they get so uptight that everything has to be just right?  Do they have to be that obsessive?

After thinking about it, I may have found the reason.  It is all because of one person.  If they can please one person then it is all worth it.  That is what Christmas is all about, making it special for one person.  Because one person made it special for us.

Enjoy those gifts, even if you have no idea what it does.

Whistle while you work

I am getting ready to embark on a week away from work.  When I know a vacation is coming, I have a hard time trying to get motivated.

I would love to work only a couple of months a year and have enough money to last me through the year.  Sometimes I do not mind working, it is the process I do like.  I would love to only work a few hours and be done.  I am reading a biography on Andrew Carnegie, who claimed he could do more work in a few hours then most would do in a days time.  That is my philosophy.  Most people brag about the time they spend at work.  Are we really that busy?  What are we actually doing?

It would be hard to get work done and leave because now everything is by demand.  A person has to be accessible to meet certain demands.  My job in particular is a mixture of things I know I have to do and then other pop ups.

The only true way to coordinate your own schedule is to not do anything.  I doubt that could last very long or be very fun.  Of course you could make others think what you want to do is what they want you to do.

Monthly review

Well I looked back at my blog's schedule and it was exactly a month ago since I posted last.  Wow, how the time has flown.  Especially since I was thinking Christmas was last week.

Has anything happened in the last month? Not too much. Wendy is doing well. Joy is doing well. She is pretty interesting. She loves a phone, until she has to talk on it. Most have gotten that from her mother. Enjoys blowing kisses, saying bye-bye, and saying "roff roff." Who doesn't though?

It is Christmas time. I hope that if you do not get what you want, then you at least get what you need.

Time flies...boy are my arms tired

Nothing really knew to update. I just thought I would see if I could remember how to type. It has been awhile since I have posted anything. It is hard to believe it has been over a month. Where does the time go? I found that I enjoy second hand stores. I am sure you know about my cheapness. Wendy and I went to one the other weekend and paid less for all our items than what retail would have been on one. Granted it can be hit or miss, but finding something is the satisfaction. I found a book that retailed for over twenty dollars and paid fifty cents for it. I did not even have to get shot three times. Has there been anything on tv to watch recently? I have not had the urge to turn on the tv. I know we have shows building up in our DVR schedule. Wendy and I only watch a few shows to begin with. I have been reading briefly and then passing out on the couch. It is possible to give a shout out to my cable company. I know it can be high and seen as an unnecessary expense, but they are willing to work with me and gave me a good deal. Since I plead with them everything couple of months. Yesterday I received a new remote. Our previous remote was sticking and a nuisance. When they updated our box, Wendy asked about a remote. The technician said the experience was probably from our old box. We still had the same trouble. Yesterday I was in the mall and went to the kiosk of the cable company. The representative just handed me a new remote. No fuss. Took it home. Noticed a difference right away. A positive difference.

Icon do it

I have not read much of the news lately, but from the headlines it seems we are losing a lot of people.  The passing of Steve Jobs and before that the "retirement" of Elivra and Leonard Nimoy.

It does seem that our generation does not seem to be producing the iconic figures of the past.  Is it because of our access to more it is harder for the unique to be noticed?  I guess in the past you had one channel with the guy who everyone knows.  Now you have hundreds of channels with nobody you know.

There is not even a standout athlete anymore.  Unless you count the whiny ones or the ones which get into trouble, which is becoming frequent.

I have thought recently how will out generation be remembered?  People that do no real achievements?!  Wow,    we can do more on our phones!  What about other advances?  It seems we are focused more on entertainment.  Look at our famous people today.  People are famous for being born.  Other standouts of our generation-Mark Zuckerburg (love him or hate him), Casey Anthony (probably hate her), any young reality tv star.

I know I am looking at the forest and cannot see the trees.  It would be nice to see a few more trees that produce more than shade.

Razor burn

Sunday morning my electric razor went dead. To its credit I think it has been about two weeks since I had to charge it. Only problem, I cannot find my charger. I have no idea where it is. The razor is pretty new. I had to buy it while away from home because my other razor was beyond repair. Now I misplace the charger cord on this one. I had to order a new one because without a cord the razor is useless. In the meanwhile I have using a regular razor, trying to be more careful than previously. Because the last time I gashed my face in several places.


Why am I having such trouble with razors? Is it time for hair removal procedures on my face?

Lost, found, lost

Over the weekend Wendy, Joy, and I went to spend time with Wendy's parents. On Saturday we rode along for a family reunion in Murfreesboro, which according to my bad geography is close to the Virginia border. Wendy, Joy, Wendy's parents, and me climb into the Griffins' CRV. It has been years since the Griffins have been out this way, but Wendy's Mom has family out that way. Everything was going smoothly. We were speeding along (figuratively, for all you law enforcement) and Joy was content. About an hour into the trip, Joy started screaming. It was the inconsolable death cry. We tried giving her something to eat, but that did not help. We tried giving her something to drink, no luck either. Wendy's Mom pulled into a gas station. Wendy pulled off Joy's jacket and pants. Apparently, Joy got too hot. For the rest of the ride she was alright. Wendy has also said that the car seats are ovens. I think they need to make ones vented somehow, but what do I know about design? We pull into the restaurant for the reunion and get Joy out of the car seat to dress her. Since the weather outside was a little cool. Jacket on. Pants on. One shoe on. Second shoe....uh. It is not there. I search the car and around the car. It must have fallen out at the gas station, about 30 miles back. The reunion is finished. It was pretty nice. Buffet style food. Nice pond to walk around with ducks. Everyone complimented how beautiful Joy is. Wendy's Mom was going to return home a different route, but for kicks wanted to go back and see if the shoe was still there. We make it back to the gas station. Joy's shoe is laying where we dropped it. Sunday morning. I am packing the car with changes of clothes because after the church service and Homecoming luncheon Wendy, Joy, and I are meeting Wendy's brother and family at the Wayne County fair. However, there is a plan change and we decide to go back to Wendy's parents' house before riding to the fair. I bring all the clothes back inside. Well almost. A pair of Joy's socks are missing. I know I packed them in the car, but cannot remember when I saw them. We search everywhere. No finding luck on this though. I feel bummed because Joy does not have too many socks that fit and here I misplace a pair. Maybe they will turn up someday.

Spaced out

I am trying to figure out the new layout of blogspot.


Before I could use spacing to make myself seem more important and for the words to fill up the page.   Like using Courier New font on my papers in school.


However, now when I do a preview it runs together.


What is wrong?

I might have figured it out.  At least according to my preview.

It seemed to be the format in which I was typing.  Push enough buttons and most anything can happen.

Coming out of the shell

Wendy and I have found a new treat. We do not do it often, but we occasionally go to a Mexican restaurant to split an order of fajitas. I know that you know that I had to Google how to spell that because I was nowhere close enough for the spell check to register what I was referring to. The size of the portions of the fajitas is quite large. They give you four shells, so two a piece and there are still enough goodies left over to make a dip for the chips. It is pricey to a cheapo like me, but not when you split it. It is almost cheaper than two separate meals at a fast food place. Does anyone know how to eat concoction like that? I spent more time trying to shove everything back into the shell than eating it. I guess instead of letting the chips fall where they may, you use the chips to pick up the pieces. The good thing is no matter if it is in the shell or own the plate it is still good.

Dropping in

Over the weekend I for a certain period of time could not keep anything in my hands. Everything I touched was an experiment with gravity. Sir Isaac Newton would be proud. But I would rather have a fig newton. Here are two main things that I had the misfortune of remembering dropping. Wendy was out having a girls day. I was taking care of Joy and it was lunch time. I go to the freezer to pull out some chicken nuggets. It was like a lost game of Jenga. I would pull one thing and five others would move. We had recently been to the grocery store and loaded up on some manager specials. They treated me special alright. So I would push them back to be assaulted again. The Wendy's coffee canister fell to the floor. The impact opened the lid. So coffee grounds are on the floor. At this point I am irate. Fortunately, some coffee was saved, but I am sure I lost about half. I place the container back in the freezer. Probably more forcefully than necessary and scoop up the remnant to the trash can. Now the kitchen smells like coffee. There are worse smells I suppose. Some time later, not sure how long transpired, I am making breakfast. I am doing my alternating routine, so it is cereal. Since we have bananas in the house I like to put them in the cereal. It is a way of getting a fruit serving and feeds my compulsion of adding toppings to things. I pull the peeling off the banana. Sometimes I cut as I go, but today I pulled the banana completely out. The banana breaks in my hand. The escapee lands right in the trash can. My reaction is okay, I do not see anything disgusting in the trash can. So I pick it out and put in my cereal. George Costanza style. I always joke that if I am alone my eating habits are bizarre and I eat what is available. Those are just a couple of things that dropped into my mind. I am sure that after reading my exploits people's confidence levels and stomach will drop.

Food for thought

I did forget to add one thing to the post from earlier. I usually do leave something out. So in this case the first shall be last. Wendy, Joy, and I went grocery shopping yesterday. So we went to our favorite store. However, the deals were not there. Nothing seemed to meet out needs...for cheapness. We did not see any manager specials. I did not even the see the cart of quick sale bakery items. It was just another thing that let us down over the weekend. Alright, hopefully that will be the last of the pity party. Who wants cake?

Labor day failed to deliver

Wow, looking at the last post date it has been a long time. What has happened? Not much. The days at work have been busy. This past weekend was a holiday one for many. Yippee for me! It, unfortunately, was not a good one. Wendy and I heard about several people who are suffering with ailments. Including our pride and Joy. It appears she is suffering from diaper rash. The act of changing her diaper puts her in the throes of agony. One night over the weekend, she had us up every two hours. The good news is that she would go back to sleep for an hour 59 minutes or until she had to go to the bathroom. It is somewhat getting better, but not healed. Last night she only got us up once. I did perform a home improvement over the weekend. It was time to replace the kitchen sink, well faucet. We went to Lowe's and saw one that should fit our need. I thought that the faucet exchange would not be too bad. I have seen someone install one in around ten minutes. Of course that person knew what he was doing. Like anything I do, I reached a few hurdles. First how in the world do I get out the out sink?! Wendy graciously Googled some instructions. Of course the instructions did not match our faucet. After wondering what I was going to do it came to me. I had to undo the bottom and pull it out from the top. Another part ot the drama was that the supply lines were connected to the faucet. I did not realize this while getting my supplies. So I had to go to Lowes and pick up new ones. Then I had to put in the faucet. That lined up alright. The sprayer was what gave me the most problem. To hook up the sprayer there was a connector with two plastic push pieces. I had to struggle with the first one, but it went one. The second one was a challenge. Of course I was under the sink where there was no room. I hit my head on something repeatedly. I even called the manufactured I was so disgusted that I could not get the piece to connect. They were closed for Labor Day. After twenty of minutes of banging, yelling, and overall malaise, I look down and there is a plastic sleeve. The connector piece is not exposed and the push piece fit perfectly. After the hookup I turn on the faucet. It works! But the handles turn the wrong way. I had put in the thing facing the wrong way! After a quick exchange it is running. One problem solved, next is replacing the faucet in the bathroom. That is for another day. Another home improvement I attempted was to install a baby gate to block off our unused stairs. Wendy and I have talked about getting one for awhile. Right now we have access blocked with an old stool and the play pen. We see a gate which looks like it work. The front of the box shows our setup. We think perfect. The price was reasonable. We get home and not so much. Another crazy design of our house. The rail extends too far, so we would not be able to operate the gate. Either that or the banister is not far enough out. It does not line up! The rail needs to be taken off, cut, or raised. I figure I can try and take it down. Of course the screws are stubborn. I take a few out and Wendy says forget it, that it is not worth the trouble. Besides where would we store the thing. It is about 20 feet long, bigger than our rooms. So another project we want to do that becomes a reject. At some point the gate has to go back to the store. I cannot say that I am glad to be at work, but this was one weekend that I am glad is over.