A Surreal Fog

This past weekend was one for the record book. My nephew was married on Saturday just like we planned but I wasn’t there. We left here on Thursday @ 4 pm and spent the night in Pigeon Forge Tennessee as planned. We arrived in Florida Friday afternoon about 3 pm and after refreshing our selves we headed for the wedding rehearsal arriving there at 5 pm. We were about halfway through the rehearsal when our friends that traveled with us received a phone call that said their youngest son was involved in a motorcycle accident and it wasn’t good. We returned to my mom’s house about 8 pm and at 9 pm a phone call came to get home as soon as possible but that it probably wouldn’t be soon enough as they were giving him only eight hours and the drive was 15.5 hours. After a quick check of the airlines and a brewing pot of coffee, we left Florida at 10 pm for the all night drive.

At 2 pm on Saturday (1 hour before the scheduled wedding) we arrived at home and headed straight to the hospital. If I thought the car ride was interesting coming home, I was shocked at the emotional rollercoaster we rode till 8 pm Sunday night.

Paul had suffered massive head trauma (yes, he wore a helmet) after being t-boned by an accelerating car trying to race between the line of cars sitting in a traffic jam. Sadly, Paul was on his bike in that opening. Not sure how much she accelerated too but it was enough to throw him across the road and destroy his Harley. She claimed she never saw him but the other 5 eye-witnesses saw him (all his lights were turned on). One of the witnesses was a police officer. So far she has been charged with failure to yield and time will tell if she is charged with more.

Over that time, 2 pm Saturday to 8 pm Sunday, we went through the gamut of emotions as the doctors worked on him. We discussed removing the respirator and letting Paul’s body decide his fate. Another time, we faced given he most likely would be a vegetable so allowing him to die might be the best. Then we faced the thought his brain would kill him because of the pressure was getting too high. This was the last issue that forced a decision in which they removed the top of his skull to allow the brain to expand all it wanted. So now we know he will live and celebrate his 25th birthday on November 21 but what we don’t know is what that life will be like. But I do have faith that he will have a meaningful life and will get to raise his child who will be born in about 27 weeks.

As for me, I am exhausted both physically and emotionally. I have gotten a full night’s sleep last night but the emotional drain will take a while longer. Driving for 16 hours with Paul’s parents sometimes seemed like a nightmare. Not that they were bad company but the fog of what seemed so unreal combined with wanting the time to pass faster, the fact we were tired of driving and the not knowing of how Paul was doing. The full extent of his criticalness wasn’t known until after his parents got there.

I guess this whole episode has given me a different slant on many issues. My prayer life has gotten a hard workout these past few days. But that is another blog for another time.

Chuckles on the Eve of a Harvest Feast

Well, I thought I would jot a few words down while I am waiting for a computer to do all of its updates. This software has more patches than a rusted out car.

We are still busy as we start to head into the holiday season. The cruise is now less than 2 months away. I have been off this week as I transition to a new job that starts on Monday. I have gotten a few things done in between phone calls from both the old workplace and the new one. I won’t say much about the old place because it gets my blood boiling and life isn’t worth all that crap.

On the sports scene: Congrats to the Chicago White Sox – the best team won. I can’t believe the Braves let their pitching coach go. I just hope they have another one of them miracle workers standing in the shadows to fill those shoes. I chuckle at the Redskins with their talk of Super Bowl. They beat up the losing teams and lose to the winning teams. Someone needs to explain to them that in the playoffs there is only winning teams. Oh, by the way, on December 24, I have tickets to watch the NY Giants beat up on the Redskins. What a Christmas present!

Roleplay: It is just not the same right now. The writing to support it isn’t there. When in the channel, the people to bring it alive aren’t there. Where it leads, who knows. I wish I knew the magical word to regenerate it but sadly I don’t. I have my memories and dreams of times past but sooner or later even those grow dim. What is next? That is what is grinding up a few brain cells. Without my RP partner I couldn’t imagine where I would be. I always believed given the right 4 people and it would go on forever but given the events of the recent past I would have serious doubts about that statement. But hope is always there and someday the sun will rise.

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Something I do miss is the seventh inning stretch during a ball game where they sing “Take me out to the Ballgame.” Yes, being patriotic is a good thing but it has been 4 years and it is about time to return to the classic song and baseball history.

We need to do something about these disasters and how people approach them. I was amazed how many people did not prepare for this last storm in South Florida. It is like they expect the Government to care for them even when they are so near-sighted as to not prepare at all. If they had followed the basic guidelines for disaster preparedness they would have had food and water for three days. Wanting ice for the beer cooler and blaming the government for not supplying it is a bit ridiculous. If they had evacuated even a few hundred miles, they would be living the lifestyle they are accustomed to. Smacks a lot like a bunch of spoiled kids wanting everything but not willing to do anything themselves.

Gee, what has happened to the gas prices? For me they have gone from $3.05 to $2.29 lately. The only thing I saw that would have affected them would be the Congressional Investigation. Surely, with supply and demand the same and given the Gas companies were honest in their dealings with the average American and an investigation would fine nothing untoward! So I would what really sparked this sudden and dramatic downturn? Compassion?

Life's Update

Hopefully I can get my friends caught up with what is going on in my life and maybe give some perspective to my notable abscence on-line.

Well, today is the first day of my next adventure. No more 15 hour days or dealing with people that would rather stab you in the back than tell you something doesn't work and let me fix it. As I reflect over the last 6 years, I wonder where everything got side tracked. Am I completely innocent? Most likely not. But I am least up front and will get into your face and not your back. It will be a most interesting period of time watching how they handle things over there. The lead engineer doesn't have a clue, either in life or at work. A newsroom full of linux servers and he is so smart he doesn't know the password, or where each one is, or any idea what to do if he does find them. The other person is new and still learning computers. Ready to fly solo yet? No, a lot of over the shoulder is needed and sadly Salem is horrible at that. They like to throw people into the mix and then when they make a major mistake, fire them. I guess one thing that irks me is that my boss or the VP for the division never called to talk and try and figure out what has happened. I guess when you are a remote micro manager who cares. But I really think it was an opportunity to dump my salary and try to get a entry level person in there or better yet, a better reason to eliminate my spot and have a reason to consolidate the operations back in Dallas. To my friends in the newsroom, I hope and wish for the best and that your time there will be better. To the others, well, play your games, sleep, back stab and generally go to hell.

#1 has no change. Though the young lion felt his oats last night at the bowling alley and challenged the old lion. Happily, the old lion won 217-212, but the lioness was only at 190 and with her hadicap she put us both back into place. As a team we gave a lesson to the other team with a 175+ pin win.

#2 is cold. Being on a mountaintop in the fall gets cold and will get colder as the snow comes. Well, we will go and buy him a new coat rather than tracking down the old one he left here, where only God knows. He took his GED and now we await the results. Drivers school is next on the horizon and his trade schooling is moving along. Except for the occaision bouts of homesickness, he is doing ok. We are both proud of him for getting this far but anxiously await him to get all the way through.

Saturday was spent riding along the Virginia / North Carolina border looking at properties and houses that were for sale. We saw some beautiful ones that we are checking further into, especially on piece of land on US Highway 158 south on Lake Gaston North Carolina. Old southern farm house with columns, a tack house with a mother-in-law apartment, stables, a large pond with running stream right through the whole farm, the prettiest deep green grass with with white fences all over. The driveway was down a road flanked on both sides by a white fence and pastures. There is about 40 acres there with some of the back section still heavily wooded. Oh well, time will tell as we investigate further.

The our schedule gets fuller by the day. Oct 29-30, we are home but at the church alot with trunk-or-treat and our annual charge conference. Nov 5-6 is my nephews wedding which means a whirlwind trip to Florida. Nov 12-13 is a quiet weekend at a cabin located in Berkley Springs WV. and Nov 19-20 the #2 son comes home for the Holidays. At that point we are only 5 weks away from the cruise with Thanksgiving and Christmas in between. Some one say, "you can do what when?"

A Little Update - 2

Just a quickie update with more to come later.

A Job change is in the air as 10/21/05 is my last day here. As I inferred in an earlier post, I have had enough. I would love to have said it was a great ending to a great job but I would be lying. What is next? Who knows.

#1 is just as obstinate as ever. It would be great if he grew up and figured out what life is all about.

#2 is doing great except for occaisional doses of homesickness. He will be home for Thanksgiving holidays.

Here comes Wilma. I wonder how FEMA will react.

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My faith is restored a little bit. The Chief Judge said that the Judge that lifted the restraining order that allowed the ex to set his wife on fire did not make a clerical error but made a judgment error and there will be an investigation. Thanks Chief Judge.

Quick Thought

Well, another weekend passes and as the ones before it, it went too fast. Our weekly visit to El Agave was great and we have found a new chinese resturant that has very good food. Bowling as usual was fun but exasperating in many ways.

Roleplay has been almost non-existant for many reasons. As for the writings, well, the pen has no ink is the easiest way to say it. I find that I need inspiration or some stimulus to write and for whatever reasons it has been absent. There are times I wish the clock could be spun backward and then find another path for us to follow. But I also know many bridges have been burned and sadly a course set that perhaps lacks the same bonds.

The work scene continues to become a place that is less and less enjoyable to work in. Where it goes from here I don't know but when there is no desire there is no will to continue. I hope we are able to come to some agreement with the new job so I can make the change and start in a place where I feel good about.

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This last week I have laughed at the comments and thoughts of the Nation of Islam leader, Farrakhan. How can he believe that the Governement had placed explosives in the World Trade Center to be detonated when the planes flew into them. And then he popped off about the way the Governement planted explosives under the levees in New Orleans. It is some of that misguided nonsense that will continually fuel the flames of segregation. Perhaps if he read his good book more such an attempt to divide would turn to efforts to rebuild and heal the wounds. But that also requires that his good book is truly the words of peace he so laboriously expounds.

I am a bit confused with a local story that concerns the death of a lady following the Judge's refusal to extend her protection order against her husband. The day after the Judge cancelled the order she was set on fire by her husband. What confuses me is the video of the court proceedings shows the judge chastising her and saying the order was unneccesary and if she felt so inclined to file for divorce but he wasn't going to help her any more. Today, the court system said "the judge made a clerical error and checked the wrong box that lifted the protection order." What is going on? The judge verbally said what he was going to do and then did it. He didn't make an error -- the Court has in covering up his ill advised decision that cost a lady her life. Also in the video I was amazed how he tried to sound like some TV Judge and lecture her. The TV judges are paid to act out and the clients have agreed to accept what they get. But the District judge had no business acting up for the camera. Listen to the facts, decide the apprpriate action based on those facts and apply the law accordingly and keep your opinions to yourself. Because of his showboating an innocent lady is dead.

What happened in Toledo? A Neo-Nazi protest turned into a wild attack on the Police. I am amazed that even after Neo-Nazi's left out of concern for their safety, the so called citizens of Toledo trashed their homes and attacked the Police. So who was the real villian. Shame on you citizens of Toledo. I like how you protected your rights and homes by destroying them. A real bright move on par with a bunch of idiots.

Thoughts in a Fog

#2 son will be testing for his GED next week. That is a major accomplishment for a high school dropout. Needless to say, his parents are proud of him.

Our cruise in December is now all paid for. Sure can't wait for the last few weeks to pass.

Roleplay is quiet while my partner is off learning to cook. Gee, I wonder where hubby is then? Massage Parlor? Hot Tub with the Dance Company troop?

Sometimes you really wonder why you spend time to help someone or do that little bit extra for the Company. You sink so much time into the job to make it self sustaining and reliable only to be told that the boss said "go ahead take him, just let me know when" when he was queried about a potential opening elsewhere in the Company. Its times like that that put a hole into the self esteem and feeling that "you are worth it." It does make the transition easier knowing they feel I am expendable. It won't take long for things to unravel with almost thirty networked workstations and servers in a linux and windows environment. I look at the two who will take over and shake my head. One person has no IT experience and the other can't even install Windows on a computer and on a linux box, well, I will let your imagination roam. Why, you ask? Well, it seems the micro-manager wants to dissolve this operation back into his operation at a different location. With us falling to 4 people short including the manager it becomes clearer now. Why they couldn't be forthright and say at a certian point in time we want to move the operation instead of letting it spin out of control as people leave or jockey to save their position. Is it the plan to run everyone off except those who are selected to hang on in the other location? Could be.

Has it became the rage to expect the Government to fix or replace everything when something catastrophic happens to you? I keep hearing people being interviewed that expect the Government to replace thier homes or provide them with a certain standard of living. FEMA should take care of the immediate emergency issues and then the Insurance and the individual should take over. It comes across to me that many people are sitting back and waiting on the Government to wait on them and provide everything.

I was confused some last night as I watched the replay of the New Orleans Police incident as the Police Officers lawyer stated that the Police did not hit the man in the face. Now what confuses me is the video that is playing with the horse in the foreground. Yes, they didn't hit him in the face, but from what I could see, they had their hand on the back of his head/neck and was banging it against the wall. Seems like the same effect -- to damage the man's face. Oh, they the police are exhausted, homeless, overstressed and overworked so that explains why they flew off the handle like that. Well, if things are that bad, then the State or Federal Government should deputize enough officers to relieve every one of the New Orleans Police Officers. The replacement police should remain on the job until the regular officers have control of their personal lives and until the Legal system has cleaned out the Officers that are less than reputable. Then there will be no excuses for that kind of behavior.

Quick Note

Well, the Ren Faire was great as usual. It is becoming a regular event in our lives. Our friends that went with us really enjoyed the festivities and already have planned to attend with us next year. The only downer was the rain but luckily it subsided for most of Saturday and only started back up about 5:30 pm. The roasted turkey leg and mugs of beer made the dampness melt away. The Battle shield looked just as good this year but the $850 just wasn't there. I did miss my O'Danny girls show but the "Men in Tights" comedy was hilarious. Our friends got selected to participate in the presentation of the "Menace of Venice". That was wild and the pictures make us laugh just as much as when they did it live. Of course the sites were great and I managed to keep my eyeballs out of the mud. Oh, I picked the right knight this time and he won the joust. Almost reminds me of the arena on line where the results are just about as unpredictable.

Kids! You love them but sometimes you just want to wring their necks. Specifically #1's. We haven't heard anything from #2 son so we can assume he is doing well. If he was struggling I know the phone would be ringing off the hook. It is about a month till we will have to run over and bring him home for Thanksgiving.

Bowling was ok this weekend. The best part was my star student has returned while her parents wait for their house to sell. So now we can fine tune the team and make a run for first place. It should be an interesting time as besides the sport I must learn to deal with their emotions. Believe me, three young ladies who are 7, 11, 16 years old swing emotionally all over the spectrum.

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What is with the New Orleans Police Department? I am confused as to why someone in Authority hasn't stepped in and fixed this emabarrassment to all Police Officers. Atlanta's Chief Pennington has said that the New orleans Police Department is fundamentally corrupt .. so someone please step in and fix it.

Well, Atlanta let another one slip away. The Yankees hung on while the Redskins embarrassed themselves again. The Redskins are the weakest looking 3-1 team around.

Catching Up 2

Well, the excursion to West Virginia was a success. #2 is doing well. I can tell he is in a school run by the government. His vocabulary is filled with acronyms. I guess that is better than 4 letters words. He would chatter away then stop and ask, “Do you know what tva (or some other acronym) means? Mom would respond, “No, but I guess you will tell us!” Of course he did using another 15 acronyms. All in all, it was fun but by 7:30 pm Saturday night he was ready to go back to the campus. Us old folks can only keep him occupied only so long. Oh, now he has his driver’s license and quickly learned the phrase, “Can I drive?” I also can report that Charleston on a Saturday is a sleepy quiet town. I was amazed that everything downtown but the mall was closed and there were hardly any cars. A big change from Northern Virginia.

This weekend is the Ren Faire over by Annapolis. I have been waiting a year to go back and it is finally here. Our friends are going and they too are excited.

#1 is now unemployed. It is foreign to me why a person would quit with no job prospects and no money to pay the car payments. Well, this time, he will lose the car because I refuse to pay anything to bail him out. Time to learn a hard lesson.

A job change is in the air for me. Not a big one but just changing the division I work in within the same company. I will be going to the Radio Operations side instead of the Network Operations side. If one of my friends who had a solid IT background and lived nearby wanted I could get them a decent job.

Less than 3 months till our next cruise to the sunny southern Caribbean in December. 80 degrees while those back home freeze. I love that thought. Snorkeling should be the activity of the day and entertainment for the night.

On the bright side – a Dutch witch won the right to deduct her brooms and paraphernalia from her taxes. Could a hooker deduct the cost of condoms as a business write-off? How about gay men deducting the KY jelly as office supplies?

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I was thinking about what to say on several subjects but there is too much to even get started. It seems the same old crap goes on and on. It is just regurgitated and reused. I am waiting to see how the Tom De Lay stuff pans out. Either he messed up bad or the Democrats have. I guess that the Democrats can’t win an election cleanly so they will try and dispose of the opponents with the judicial system.

My opinion for what it is worth, Bill Bennett’s comments last Wednesday were uncalled for and out of place on the air. Pondering racially sensitive comments will lead to misquotes and taking it out of context. “I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, … “ How do you know what you said is true? I am disappointed in what you said.

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Go Braves and Yankees.

Daily Thoughts - XX

Well, ummm, let me see. The ballgame was great. That is -- the Yankees won. The Boston and Baltimore game went as expected. It was funny seeing that there were more Boston fans than Orioles fans. Sad statement for the home team. Professional football was good because both the Ravens and Redskins had the week off. The only thing better would have been if they both lost.

Next on the horizon is going to see #2 at school in Charleston, WV. Needless to say mom is anxious and can’t wait for the time to pass till we leave Friday afternoon. And yes, he called asking for money and some items be brought to him. Must be something in teenager’s genes that teaches them how to ask for that stuff. He did start the tech part of his schooling this week. So by Saturday when we see him, he will know enough to tell me how to fix computers.

The next projects have started and guess what? They want it done last week! One person had the gall to state that they wished the engineers would fix things faster. Good thing my screwdriver was locked up or I would have fixed something very fast and permanently.

Oh, and choir practice resumed. I guess I best get my raspy twang loosened up so I can sing and pick up a new pair of ear plugs.

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The Atlanta Braves do it again. #14.

I find it interesting that there is little being said about the budget process on Capitol Hill. Usually they are fighting and jockeying for position. The sad part is even with all posturing they still don’t get it approved in time. Now, with all this silence and a strong hunch they aren’t doing anything, you could surmise that there won’t be a budget before spring. Besides, they are too busy trying to point fingers and get votes.

What has changed since Ivan/Dennis? I hear now that FEMA or the Government must step up and fix the damage of Katrina/Rita. I personally know quite a few people in Florida that would love to have this kind of help. Has the government now taken on the role of insurer to replace and rebuild?

Start the WPA crews and fill the positions with all those New Orleans evacuees. Provide them the materials and let them provide the muscle. That just might create a sense of “this is my home.” But don’t turn the first responders, Military, National Guard, and good Samaritans into a free labor pool. Any one that files for unemployment or welfare should be assigned to a WPA work crew. As I watched the TV one night after the worst of the floods had gone down and saw hundreds sitting about waiting for the next handout, there should have been someone to pass out so brooms and trash bags and start sweeping and picking up the trash up before it is blown into Texas. I love it when you see a car drive by and the empty water bottles and trash flies up into the air. We are humans and know better than to trash a place out. Didn’t the storms create enough trash without us adding to it? Or did the storm blow away common sense and pride?

More kids get killed on Friday night at a school football game. When will the senseless of this finally strike home and average people decide they have had enough violence? We have taught or kids that life has no value than what you give it. If someone does something you don’t like kill them. But then again they see their parents sue everything possible to try and get ahead. We buy and accumulate stuff and then discard it for the next version. Perhaps that 15 year old isn’t the newest version and it is time to get another one. Call me old fashion but individual worth comes from respect, discipline, and morals. Let me see, where do they get that from? School? Church? Home? Other Adults? Without researching too hard, those four sources play a very minor role in teaching our kids individual worth. Look at our TV programming. What do you see? Count the good virtues that you see being taught and then the bad ones. Need more paper for the bad ones?

Well, enough soap box, time to go outside and play.

Catching Up 1

Well, Philadelphia was fun. Did a lot of talking and listening as the many vendors tried to sell me their product. Believe me the eye-candy was great. The dinner I was invited to on Thursday night was an experience. They served Philly Cheese steaks and frozen flavored ice for dessert. The entertainment was Ricky Havens of Woodstock fame. His song “Freedom” was just as good as it was then. I guess I can consider the week a success. I had dinner at a very good "Family Resturant" and they even had T-shirts for sale. Oh, by the way Blue, I have one autographed for you.

The new studio build was completed and everything worked great. Now I just have to get them to quit nit-picking things and just do the job and let us finish cleaning things up. But then again, that is out of character for them. Besides, the people are clamoring for the next studio build-out to get started. Oh well, it never ends.

The first weekend in November will be a trip to Florida as my nephew gets married. He called early last week and asked me to be his best man of which I could not say no. I am looking forward to this.

The next few weeks will also be hectic as every weekend is booked. This weekend we are going to Camden Yards to watch the Baltimore Orioles put another nail in the Boston Red Sox playoff hopes. Next weekend is a jaunt to Charleston West Virginia to spend the day with #2. Then the next weekend is the Maryland Renaissance Faire.

Bowling has started off ok. We are 7-1 in one league and 7-7 in the other. But there is a long way to go and much can happen. Personally, I am carrying a 195 average so I am satisfied.

The final payment for our cruise was paid and now we only have to wait till Dec 27^th. We are ready to have our excursion party where we sit down and pick them out. That gets to be as much fun as the excursions themselves.

As for my birthday, it was quiet .. I worked a 16 hour day. Oh well, there is always next year.

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I am going to take this time off of making any comments and let laying dogs sleep.

Daily Thoughts - XIX

Well, after the first long day we are ahead of schedule. I love it when a plan comes together. The only regret I have is that I don’t have much time to see the wife. But, I will make up for it next week when things return to normal.

Roleplay: Come on and get real. Leave the past alone and focus on the now. Those people that are needling others by passing comments and innuendos between the channels need to be squashed and stop their attempts to gain stature and position by doing it. People are trying to go on with their lives but are getting dragged down by this petty bickering. People in Sorcery are trying to move on just as some people in Starchat are trying to move on. To the drama kings and queens that can’t accept that .. tough .. stop it or find somewhere else to park your character.

-- These are my comments and are not directed to any one specific person
but if the shoe fits, either wear it or change shoes. --

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The Pledge: Why are we so quick to throw away our heritage and change what got us where we are at today? It isn’t perfect but it is the best system I have seen. Some people will do anything to get their minute in the spotlight. Why they will even use their kids. This is America. Our system was built by founding fathers that believed in God and saw Him as the basis of our Nation. This looks like now that God has made us the best place on earth to be we want to dump him and take the credit ourselves. But then again, we have become a bunch of “users.” We use things then discard them when we want something newer or improved. The Constitution was built as a living document to grow as the nation did but we are dismembering it to suit the special interests. It is not the land where the majority rules but where the minority forces the majority to concede their rights.

I know many will label me but this is America. In this land we speak English, pray in school, say the pledge, honor the family, anyone can succeed but not at the expense of someone else, when you commit a crime you are punished and the victim receives restitution, and marriage is between a man and a woman. I agree that some things are broken such as equality between the races. But let’s fix the problem and not brow beat each other on what happened in the past. Yes, the corrections system is broken when the guilty dictates how they are to be treated and the victim is further humiliated as the guilty demands equal rights. And the list goes on.

FEMA: Make it a separate entity once again. Let Homeland Security deal with terrorism and FEMA deal with natural disasters. The combining was a bad idea so let’s fix it now.

Katrina: Bush admitted the federal response was inadequate; Brown resigned (got fired). The Governor admitted she made mistakes. Ok, Mayor, your turn to quite mouthing off, playing the race card and admit you and your staff failed miserably.

With the charges against that couple for negligent homicide we see the tip of the iceberg. Humans become animals when conditions become deplorable and society breaks down. We see that when the Mayor fails to plan and execute a disaster response, when a Governor can’t relinquish some power or control in order to help those they swore to protect, when police desert their beat, when National Guardsmen loot, and Caretakers abandon the helpless. In the aftermath we need to look at human nature and how we can avoid the conditions that made a city turn into jungle.

It is great to see the Congress open its investigation before the disaster is cleared up. They think “people will work harder at recovery knowing they are being watched.” Well, I think they will “work less because they don’t want to be called on the carpet for their actions and they especially don’t want to be second guessed and then have to defend their actions.” If Congress is trying to find something to do then they should “work on the budget and get it out on time.” They do this every year, slow leak the budget process and mess up the government for months as they panic approve a patchwork budget. Congress should be legislating and governing the land. Leave the policing of our actions to the legal system. The lawyers would love that.

A Convicted Child Abuser tries to take a child from school: When will we wake up and realize that these predators never really change their ways? How many children must die before the so called adults fix this problem?

Oil Companies: Regulation is the word of the day. Federal regulation of the industry until the oil companies can show they are willing to be part of the solution. Now they want to educate us as to why the prices are this high. They feel the average consumer doesn’t understand. I understand that it is broke when you post billion dollar profits as the so called gas shortage rages and prices skyrocket.

Daily Thoughts - XVIII

Well, life surely marches on. With deadlines looming on several projects my time becomes a costly commodity. So for now I just look to Monday morning when the first deadline passes. I will worry about the next one starting Tuesday.

Still can’t figure out #1 son. Try and talk to him and help him and all you get is gruff and lip. Ok, bud, do it your way and your mother and I will wait for you to grow up.

Have had a few calls from #2 in West Virginia. He is having a great time from the way he sounds. Loves the food and has new friends. Yes, the school is not so fun but a lot more tolerable than last time. Mom is starting to plan a weekend trip to go see him. Guess I better scratch another weekend off the calendar.

Next week, I will be in Philadelphia for a couple of days (Wednesday – Friday). Is there such a thing as a Philly cheese steak overdose?

Time to start planning the excursions for our cruise. It is getting ever so much closer. Something like 3 months and 2 weeks away.

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I wish we could get media coverage of Katrina like we had on 9/11. I am tired of the many shows dedicated to “whom can we crucify with blame.” Focus on the good that is being done. Let the Congress do their Katrina Commission and give them something to do other than pass good laws and budgets. The media is getting worse in their constant push for ratings and the most sensational stories. Make me feel good about the many people trying to help down there.

There are many questions I would like to have answered but won’t and to think the media could ask them if they were so inclined. But, they must protect the democratic leaders down there that botched it. The Republicans have made their changes, when will the Democrats?

On the baseball front, it looks like the tradition continues. The Orioles in last place and the Nationals quickly headed there. Will those play-play announcers recant their stupid rah-rah when the teams were closer to the lead? Yes, the two teams actually were in first place around mid-season. I love it when the describe a Braves win as a 4-2 squeaker and when the Nationals win 4-2, it is a “slam as they double them up.”

And those Redskins. They edge lowly Chicago who played without a competent quarterback and already they talk playoffs. I love it when two nothing teams butt heads. Yes, the Redskins are in the lower echelon of teams, too much division as the prima donnas jockey for their paycheck. We all saw what happened last year and there isn’t that much of a change in personnel that would give us any hope. Except for those that reset their hope-o-meter every year and start fresh in September.

Kudos and winks to Roberts who continues to frustrate the Democrats; Katrina victims who fight back and rebuild despite the media’s attempt to blame first and fix second; Paulison who will step into the firing line and get FEMA going again and the Braves who like the energizer bunny just keep winning.

Daily Thoughts - XVII

Well, I am sitting here taking a break from the studio build outs and will try and jot a few thoughts down.

My parents showed up for a few days. Their home escaped any damage this time. The wind and rain were there but the worse damaged was further to the west. My niece who lives in England was with them and the two of us were able to spend a few hours together. She came to the newsroom to see what her uncle did. The worst part of it was her wanting to conduct an interview with me and recording it in our studio and on CD. So after 11+ minutes of questions we were finished.

Son #2 called and sounded really upbeat with everything in Charleston WV. He starts back to school next week and this week got his uniforms. As he said, “I have a bunch of new friends.” Needless to say, it is a bit easier to live with Mom.

My nieces who were involved with MS-13 lost a bit of their freedom this week. One was arrested for parole violations and criminal charges. The other was locked up in the Girls Group Home. From what I have seen of the Child Welfare System in this state still sucks like it did when my son had his dealings with it. They say they are professionals but from my observations and personal experience they are sadly fooling themselves and the public that is paying their over-inflated salaries.

Role-play – Hmmm, let me see, “no comment.”

***** ***** *****

Judge John Roberts – A great nomination for Chief Justice.

To those affected by Katrina, my prayers and thoughts go with you. I watch the TV pictures and see places I have been too or at least what use to be there. I know exactly where they speak of as I have spent a portion of my life in this area from Pensacola to Louisiana.

As for the blame game, let’s stop it and worry about the recovery more. We all know what the agenda is for the Democrats involved in the finger pointing.

Good old Jesse Jackson, Mr. Go Off Half-Cocked. He blames President Bush for the racist response to the disaster. One of his examples is the two newspaper pictures and their caption of the people in the picture. Hmmm, Mr. Jackson, I believe President Bush didn’t take the pictures and concoct the captions. Why don’t you open your eyes and see that the newspaper editor did this. Last I knew the Federal Government hadn’t taken over the local papers. Oh, that is right; you haven’t realized yet that the media has an agenda too.

I expected as much from the talk show hosts down there trying to pad their ratings. As if there weren’t enough emotions running high, Geraldo Rivera had to run around whipping people up into frenzy and portray himself as a self proclaimed savior. Instead of grandstanding, get out and hunt for survivors. Help rescue people or better yet, start picking up some of those piles of trash and clean the place up. Make yourself useful and don’t waste good air time on your antics.

The Atlanta Braves roll while the Washington Nationals fold. I hope they have learned that the Post Season rings weren’t offered for the first half of the season. Looks like the Curly W is turning into a Bold L.

Gas prices. I love these knuckle heads who brag about driving their 8 mile per gallon custom vans. If the gas price doesn’t deter them then charge them a road use tax like you do for commercial trucks. If every one paid a road use tax of a $10.00 a year per pound over 4000 pounds, they would stop buying them gas hogs very quickly. I also hope someone investigates the Oil Industry on their price gouging following the hurricane. I vote that we set a federal gasoline price limit of $1.99 a gallon and when the oil companies stop making their >40% profits ($7.86 Billion) then we can let the oil companies set the price. If the numbers hold true at $1.99 they will still make a few hundred million as profit.

Daily Thoughts - XVI

After spending so much time cleaning up after Ivan and Dennis, the memories are vivid when I see the Katrina pictures. I wish them the best in a speedy recovery. But I also know that the Ivan damage almost a year later is still being dealt with. The Dennis repairs have just really begun.

Another summer comes to a close. Where did it go? This fast pace life really makes me long for the slower life of retirement. I guess I have 2 years to go. Why? The #2 son is in Charleston WV with the Job Corp and he won’t return except for holidays until September 2007. Funny that he biggest fear was that we would move while he was gone. So to ease his fears, we agreed to not do anything about retirement until he completed his program.

Let me see. September holds the start of the Bowling leagues, several parties, a day at the ballpark watching the Orioles and Red Sox play. Somewhere I need to find a chance to return to Florida to finish up a couple of landscaping projects started during the Hurricane Dennis cleanup.

Since Hurricane Katrina there hasn’t been much news to rile me up. Seems some people put aside their attitudes and Issues to help others.

How quickly our morality breaks down when facing tough times like those in New Orleans. Perhaps this is a pointing finger at our lack of cultural morality in favor of personal morality. We have raised a whole generation with the idea they are #1 and anything to disrupt that is wrong. Church and the Bible mean nothing except an escape from reality. Sex and alcohol are bad only if you get caught or drop the bottle.

I heard a commentary today asking the question “why can’t women find a good man anymore?” In some ways that is an easy answer. First, they get what they want too easily. In some cases the woman pursues the man till he gives in. So why deal with responsibility and loyalty when sex is so easy to get. If she doesn’t like it, move on or get it on-line. Secondly, his worth in the family is being stripped away. Take away his self worth and it becomes too easy to walk out. I have personally listened to my sons lady friends say they can raise a child without a male in their life. Actually, they believe it will be less complicated and less stressful. It might be but look what is happening. Each sex was put here on earth with a purpose and part in a family unit. The way we are going Family units will become obsolete. As I watch the dynamics of mixed groups of young adults the lack of respect for each other becomes very evident. Just the language used to greet each other is degrading.

I was asked the other night by a friend what it takes to find a good man, one who would respect me. I wanted to speak the truth and say don’t be so easy, give respect and honor and ask for respect and honor, but I backpedaled and said “they are hard to find.”

Well, I should get off the soap box and make the commute home. Gee, my wallet feels lighter already and my car only needs 10 gallons. Hmmm, $5.00 a gallon, when does the economy break under this pressure?

Daily Thoughts - XV

Friday is almost here and it is the end of another week. I sit here in a rather curious mood and will need to be careful and not let it spill over into my writing. I am definitely ready for some Mexican food at my favorite restaurant.

And like usual, another project come down today. I was wondering what I would do with my one free hour this fall. Now I know!

Our #2 son flies out Tuesday (8/30) to start his time with the Job Corp. We (Mom and Dad) have mixed feelings about this but at the same time we both agree it is the best for him to start making his way in the world and learn a skill. We don’t need any 40-year-old kids still living at home.

*****

Isn’t it just like the French to keep on trying to remove Lance Armstrong’s titles? Amazing how they have kept his samples since 1999 and just now decided to re-test them. Maybe if the French spent more time training they would not finish in the back of the pack. Come on guys, let up. He has retired so quit dragging up 6-year-old specimens to re-test over and over till you find what you want to find.

Oh boy, now I get to hear the District Leaders complain about the base closures for a while. I love it how they say any hospital is needed no matter how old and inadequate it is. Well, duh! What happened to the old and inadequate Southeast General Hospital you shutdown not long ago? I guess it is ok for them to pilfer money from it and bankrupt it so long as the Federal Government doesn’t do it to them.

If John Mohammed wants to starve himself in protest for being moved and tried in Maryland, then let him. When he dies we will save a lot of taxpayers money both from the trial and supporting him in prison for the next 40+ years till he dies. Why do we cater to the whims and wants of these mentally disturbed people and let the victims suffer? That old proverb, “an eye for an eye” sure looks good and makes a lot of sense. Empty out death row by carrying out the sentences and see how fast violent crimes stop. What do you say, “I am wrong?” Well, try it my way and prove me wrong. At the worse we will alleviate some over crowding and scare the crap out of some petty criminals who might decide the chance to die is too great.

I love the comment to day by a local commentator. “The majority of convicted violent criminals are not American Citizens.” Well, I see the solution in the previous paragraph as a very valid option. If they want to come live here is one thing but if they come to get rich quick and commit a crime and take away an American’s chance to live, then they deserve the same fate. My vote is for “it is time to clean out the prisons and I don’t mean early release.”

Daily Thoughts - XIV

Well, I just took our best friends to the airport so they could attend a wedding in Fairbanks AK. The other thing I am wrestling with is attending a good friend’s wedding in Guadalajara, MX on December 24. Besides Christmas I have to be in Charleston SC. for our Caribbean cruise. Decision decisions!

On the home front, #1 son is still working and that is good.

Still waiting to see if #2 son goes to Charleston WV for the job corp. I know I won’t stand a chance if she gets another $5000 Christmas bonus this year.

The wife got another 10% pay raise. They keep doing this and she doesn’t want to quit and I am ready to retire. Talk about a tough decision.

I have a new computer support contract starting 8/26/05. It will be a nice one if they hold true to the 20-25 hours a week. Especially since they will pay me $75 an hour plus a dispatch fee. It came to my attention, I could hire someone to do the work for me at $50 per hour and still pocket $25. I think that is a great plan. Now to find some kid who knows enough and is willing to work in order to gain some experience.

I have seen some of the “Going Tribal” shows and they are very interesting. I wish I had a job that I could do something like that once. It would be hard and a challenge but the memories and experiences would be great.

*****

Well, the gangs are still a problem and out of control, but now the Federal Justice Department has entered the fracas.

The next time you speak on extreme religious zealots, Pat Robertson, look at yourself in the mirror. I am saddened you have gave many a good Christian a black eye by your uncalled for comments.

If you ever commit a crime, do it in Aruba. While you are being interrogated as a prime suspect they will give you the weekend off and then you can escape. Can you believe this?

I am sorry Mrs. Sheehan for your loss. But in your grief you have been taken and manipulated by the press and the liberals. I wonder how the loss of your husband and another family member factors into this debacle. You have let them put words in your mouth, like David Duke and other extremist groups. Perhaps the best thing for you is to go home, be quiet and grieve the loss of your fine son and mend the fences you broke in your family.

Daily Thoughts - XIII

Well, Friday and another weekend approaches. I look forward to the down time. I visited a neighbor today who just had heart surgery. So with some luck they will go home tomorrow. Kind of hits you when your friends start having problems like that because “we are the same age.”

Hopefully this weekend I will get my new server built so I can register the new domain and get my web pages and bots all on one computer. Oh boy, more work and no pay.

Today is a gray and drizzly day -- the kind that is fun to just lie in bed and take a nap. But alas, I am here at work.

*****

Way to go – Atlanta Braves. The Nationals are showing us that they are just the Expo’s in different clothes.

Well, last week the D.C. Government decided that playgrounds and recreation centers was the way to stop MS-13. Well, yesterday MS-13 responded by saying they will “ambush and kill Virginia Police.” Then the police announced that several officers have placed their family in the Witness protection Program because of threats. Does that sound like a gang that will change just because you setup an after-school program? First thing they don’t go to school; secondly all you do is get all the young vulnerable kids congregated so MS-13 can recruit. These thugs only understand violence, sex, and drugs. So D.C. get serious and take that away from them. The police must be able to deal with them in a language they understand -- deadly force. But like all evil people we will take the liberal ACLU approach and try and reason with them while our children and recruited and people killed.

Daily Thoughts - XII

Well, let me see. Can I get this pencil working so I can scribble a few lines? Yes, I know I have slipped some in my writing but things happen occasionally. Gee, the fall bowling leagues start in two weeks. Hmmmm

Work last week was one long meeting. The bosses came up from Dallas and we had one meeting right after the other. The worse was the constant changing of all my project deadlines. Today, I could finally sit down and sort out what the flow would be. Yes, they gave me more money for the projects but shortened the deadlines.

The engineer they just hired about 3 months ago. They decided they didn’t need him anymore and gave him his marching orders on the 26^th. And these bunion heads think I will support them in all my free time. Believe me, the fat lady has sung and this pipe organ doesn’t pump anymore. They would rather contract to me at $75 than pay a full time employee $27. Go figure. So I said give me a contract for a guaranteed 20 hours a week for 1 year and I would consider.

Can’t wait for the cruise in December. Only 4 months and 12 days left. Yesterday we drove down into southern Virginia where at 5:30 on a Sunday afternoon the whole town was closed up. We checked out several state parks in an attempt to find some places to launch the boat and camp. So the peaceful country drive through forests and along the Potomac River, Rappahannock River, and Chesapeake Bay was great.

#1 son swallowed his pride and apologized and got his job back. Growing up?

#2 son still awaits the call of the Job Corps.

The youth bowling team I was on finished #1 for the second consecutive time. But the young lady I was coaching announced she was moving to New York with her family. So I will miss her and her skill. She went from an average of 89 to 141 in a year.

*****

I love it when they think they can change a violent gang like MS-13 by building recreation centers. The gang wars and attacks lately show us how much the police and the politicians are out of touch with reality. In most every case, the attack concerned someone violating “their” territory. Why won’t the new recreational center be a new piece of territory to fight over? These guys are hardened criminals with no value on life except theirs. Treat them as such and forcefully stop them, power is all they know.

I can’t wait to see the profit margins of the big oil companies this year. They were already in the billions and now it becomes astronomical. Also, how will they use the new tax breaks to protect those windfall profits? I wonder if the politicians realize that when we, John Q Public, finally gets mad that we will vote them out of office. We can’t hurt the oil company but the politicians can be hurt by losing their jobs. I know how I will vote, Do you?

Daily Thoughts - XI

Well, another week comes to a close. I can’t believe the hours I have spent sitting in meetings and on conference calls. All that time and the end result are “we need to discuss this more or the boss says, let me think this over.” “And you wanted that new laptop set up when?”

Someone please tell me why Novak gets sacked for saying ‘Bullshit” and there is a lot worse being said in most every movie, TV show, and HBO special? Seems to me if we are going to have a so called standard of clean language we should apply it across the whole media spectrum to include news, cable, movie and sports.

My vote is for Baltimore Oriole Coach Mazilli. They canned him because the team sucks. For that matter the team has sucked for years and all they do is fire managers. Has someone in Angelo’s little circle ever considered that the players they are hiring are the problem. Even a great coach can’t motivate perennial losers to win. Look at Joe Gibbs and the Redskins. So from my point of view keep the coach and get rid of the rest of the crappy team.

I continue to applaud the Brits for what they are doing about terrorism. They are fighting back like no other group of people has ever done. Thumbs up to deporting anyone (foreign national) that participates in terrorist activities or endeavors. Maybe someone on this side of the Atlantic pond will get a backbone and start getting tough here. Maybe even start with the ACLU and their liberal whiners.

The home front has added its fuel to the weekly firestorm. #1 son got tired of working and just up and quit. Never mind the car payment or insurance bill, just get tired and quit when you feel like it. Looks like #2 son is going into the Job Corps and he will be sent to Charleston WV. So let’s see how much he will grow up in that environment.

On a side note without too much personal information, I am growing to hate gang bangers with a passion. Specifically, MS-13. It wouldn’t take much for me to considered them open season just like a varmit.

Role-play is at a low point and stalled as I search for a new direction. . Perhaps in time it will become evident and the creative juices will flow and everything will get back on track. I guess even a target dummy will lose it stuffing after enough arrows are fired at it.

Just keep on smiling -- :)

Daily Thoughts - X

The last week has been fun in that work is taking all my time. Some of the fun has been dealing with people and their new wireless networks. I must have missed the boat for if I plan to use some piece of equipment or software I will learn the basics and how to do the basic tasks required. These people have no clue. Then they argue with me occasionally pointing out I don’t know what I am doing. Of course, these blonde versions of Isaac Newton get a higher labor rate.

On the work side, it has been build – build – build. Upgrading a lot of computers.

With the entire clamor over the Gitmo Bay prisoners and the Iraqi prisoners, I have come to the conclusion that we should take no more prisoners and that they should become a casualty of war. Why, because all the arm-chair quarterbacks, politicians and civil libertarians destroy our attempt to gather intelligence and detain combatants to keep them from killing others. We must treat them better than Americans lest we violate their rights. Oh well, we are already doing that with prisoners and people charged with capital crimes and child abuse crimes. They are innocent first and the victim is unimportant to the point they have no rights.

I need to do more research but this week some one politically connected stated something about nuking Mecca when they show up by the millions as a way to get rid of the maximum number of terrorists in one blow. Gee, I heard that a long time ago. Are our leaders finally waking up and taking terrorists serious? They declared war on us and in war you seek to eliminate the enemy quickly and with minimal loss. Kind of reminds me of day-light bombing in Germany and Hiroshima.

Keep it up Britain. You are pursuing the bombers like they should be. Teach us a lesson on the right way to do it. Hopefully next time we get hit someone over here will follow your lead.

I love listening to the Nationals baseball games. They are whining now that since they walked the winning run to lose the game it is a “cheap” win. Or last night, the opposing batter blooped a single to score the winning run so they now speak of bad officiating as a cause. Get off it Nationals, you lost plain and simple. In the first half of the season you won a few just like that but then it was ok, now when other teams are pressing for the postseason you cry and slump to your losing “Expos” way.

Hmmm, New Jersey wants to fine you if you smoke and drive! Well, I agree. My only accident was caused by a young lady with this excuse. “Officer, I was driving and dropped my hair brush and it rolled up under the car seat and I searched for it. After I found it and looked up I was too close to stop and hit him in the rear.” Along with that law add these items to it. If you talk on the cell phone, put makeup on, brush/comb your hair, read a book/newspaper/magazine, eat any type of food, watch a DVD or drive where you are more laying down than sitting up then you should be ticketed, charged points and fined. Driving is a responsibility not a way to get many things done because you got up late and need to get on the road. Germany does do this part right. Also the States could generate more revenue if they start charging for a license like the Germans do. $1500 a pop, with the price that high people might take driving more seriously if it cost them that much every time they lost their license. Drive without a license then? You could but if you’re caught – mandatory 2 years in jail and the next license is $2500. With the world’s population growing so fast we best be looking at these types of ideas before it is too late. It is kind of frustrating to see slow cars, erratically moving cars, or cars that stop/go unexpectedly and when you get close – they have a cell phone glued to their ear. Just today as I commuted in on I-66 in bumper to bumper traffic, one person was doing 35 and just yakking up a storm, so much that their hands were waving all over the place.

When will insanity not be allowed as a defense for committing capital crimes? Am I totally off base in believing all criminals are insane and not capable of standing trial? It seems that defense is well used to avoid punishment. It seems if you want to commit a crime, ahead of time do something that a Doctor will write down as a psychosis and you can get away with murder at a later time. I love it when someone commits a murder, goes first to the doctor and gets committed and then the lawyer tells the police where to find the corpse. Well if Saddam is smart, he will claim he has ADD, some mental disorder or something like that and he will never be tried for any crimes. He walks and lives a grand life and we get more frustrated. Maybe if Iraq had more rivers he could have used the Teddy Kennedy method for removing his adversaries and not have to worry about going to jail and Saddam then might even get re-elected to the new Iraqi government. Opps, how short sighted, only in America does that happen.

Daily Thoughts - IX

It is hot and muggy here! Come on winter, cool us off. They say we will have cooler weather this weekend. I hope so since the yard work hasn’t been done during this current hot spell.

Today I am just out of it. Nothing seems to get me motivated even though I know I have a lot to do. The picture that comes to mind is a low riding sports car with 4 flat tires.

On the Florida scene: Unbelievable, the insurance and FEMA reps came on 07/16 to inspect the damage and on 07/20 my dad received two settlement checks. Following Ivan it was several weeks. Maybe the constant stream of hurricanes has helped them get efficient or they want to clean their slate before the next one comes.

Well wishes to the Brits during the assaults on there homeland. Perhaps you will show America how to deal with someone that has declared war on you. We surely don’t take it serious.

Well, Angelos and the Orioles keep to their old self following the Yankees and Red Sox with their nose up their hineys. Worse thing is Angelos has monopolized the TV segment, of course with MLB’s quiet acquiescence, around here and prevents the Nationals from being seen in their own hometown. You see, Angelos must keep the Nationals off TV because they are in 1^st place and the Orioles are in their natural position, noses in the Yankees butt. I hope that legal group succeeds and forces Angelos and the TV conglomerate to allow Nationals games here so we can see the “Real Baseball Team in this Area.”

Thumbs up to Judge Roberts for the Supreme Court.

Here Goes

Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

Reflections

Well, after two days I have finally caught up on my email backlog. Next week looks to be a bear of a week. All the new computers I ordered will be here. So, the workload will get nasty as all my projects move forward.

This has been an interesting time for role-play and my mind reels with thoughts and comments. Don’t worry, I won’t expound my thoughts here for I know many people read this that could care less about Blackhawke and Camelot and Dark Towers. I do know those that really care will ask me privately and then I can explain my take on these twists and turns. I find this whole affair interesting because the only communication comes second-hand by email. I remember a time my phone would ring off the hook when there was a problem and we talked. It was amazing how quickly the problem was solved and everything else became clearer. The use of Email allows us to hide and dodge the real problems. It allows you to feint with “I misread your words” when you are caught stretching for the truth or to get the wrong impression if the sender can’t put their thoughts into words. It also has been interesting to see how quickly friendships melt and people take sides without the benefit of any direct communication. Are we only willing to create relationships only in email (words)? Is it just a safe way to pretend we have a bond of friendship? This reminds me of the Citizens Band (CB) craze. People would do so much more on the radio than they ever would in real life. In retrospect, I thought I had more friends and now I am learning the truth. I wish I was wrong because friends are what make life bearable and a joy. Right now it is lonely.

Do you need to worry for me? No, I will just move on and find others who are also seeking to find those relationships that last. The best one is my role-play partner. She is a dream and one tough cookie. She has put up with me for quite a while and not run away. I am willing to admit I am not the easiest to get along with. I border on being a hardhead. But, I do listen, choose the best path given the options and then do what it takes to make it succeed. I don’t try to be the life of the party and hurt no ones feelings. In a group environment where people are exposing their ideas and thoughts, you can’t always have your way. You can't always carry a chip on the shoulder without someone knocking it off. But I know I am speaking to the wall for the email client of the other person is turned off. So I sit and wonder if someone will call and truly communicate like humans beings should.

Solve your problems the old fashion way – talk.

Pictures

here is the link I promised for the pictures. Please be patient for they will take some time to download.

http://knight.blackhawke.net/dennis/index.html

Enjoy!

Day of Returning

Well, I have finally returned to Virginia after 6 days of work in Florida. Yes, suntan and all. After spending a few days in that heat and humidity without electricity makes you appreciate the A/C when it does come back on.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will have some pictures up of what we faced when we first got there last Monday. The place actually looks nice now but much still has to be done. The trailer has to be repaired and then reset back on its foundation. At least this time FEMA and the Insurance showed up quickly and the settlement won’t take so long. So needless to say probably one more trip down will be needed in a month or so when the repairs are finished.

I can’t thank my friend Carl enough for coming down and helping. His help was beyond anything called for. After the two weeks I spent cleaning up after Ivan I wasn’t looking forward to this cleanup. But, my friend made it a lot more bearable and the workdays a bit shorter. Besides, I am impressed at how much he knows about most any handyman project. He always had an answer and the skills to do the job.

Final Comments on Camelot:

I am saddened by the closing of #Camelot on Starchat Network to point of being heartsore. That channel received many hours of my time over the years as we tried to make it into something great. Perhaps the deepest cut came from those whom I considered a friend in thinking that I wanted to kill the channel. How do you intentionally kill something that was part of your dreams and thoughts? They focused on how could I kill it or take it over, or take its members away. My options consisted of how can I return and with what character and still be believable given the storyline of the past year. So while my role-playing partner and I discussed our options and had made an initial plan to persue, it appears the distrust and hatred of my friends was greater than anything we could do or say on that fateful day.

So the loss of friends always hurts. I know you believe a true friend could never do this. In some ways you are correct, but I believed them to be straightforward in their words and friendship. Since last fall, I have taken a large share of the channels failure upon myself. Now that I sit looking at its closed gates, there should be others admitting their failure too. Camelot failed because the all the people failed. They say Camelot is a dream and a belief, that is true but like life itself it can go in a wrong direction and eventually get lost. The true believers in Camelot will stop their wandering and ask for help to find that path once again. I stopped my wandering a month ago and asked for directions but the woods were cold and empty and my friends closed their ears.

Thanks to my role-play partner for she has been there like a rock, when I was asking for directions, she gave me a boost up the tree in order to see and shout farther. For helping me, she has lost a lot too, for those same friends turn quickly against her to stand in our way. I apologize to her for what has happened mainly because we are linked by our characters and when one hurts or stumbles, so does the other.

I shall now head my own way and try and find the road again. The nice thing is she will be there and silence will allow us to sort it all out. I sadly close the book of stories for without my friends the words ring shallow and without life.

Daily Thoughts - VIIIa

Well, I shall try and finish what I started the other day. But first, Hurricane Dennis was definitely there in Pensacola, almost in the same tracks as Ivan, but I am happy to know so far the first words out were that all is well at the parent’s house. More to come.

Well, more has come! The parent’s house didn’t fair so well so I am heading south tomorrow morning to do what I can. Gee, the new roof was only a month old and the missing porch was less than 2 weeks. All the work I did a couple of weeks ago is gone. Guess Mom Nature decided I needed more exercise and sore muscles. Gosh, I love them nature types.

If you wish to see some pictures of the area (Pensacola), here is the url.

http://photos.pensacolanewsjournal.com/index.shtml

I sometimes wonder where we are going. US Highway 50 used to be called Lee Highway after the Civil War general, Robert E. Lee. Well, some people took offense and forced a name change to Fairfax Parkway. Excuse me, but a great number of streets, business’s, schools, and buildings in this area are named after Civil war generals, battles and such. This whole area was the scene of several major Civil War battles. Are we to just forget the whole Civil War? Yes, I don’t like what happened with slavery and the plight of Black Americans. But it happened, so let’s move on and get over it. Obviously, to some this is their way of continuing the war. There are numerous things I don’t like about life but I don’t grouse about the name.

Will we get serious about terrorism any time soon? Right now in my mind we won’t until the worse happens and tens of thousands die. We have a group of people in the name of their religion declared “Jihad” against all Americans. Now I realize “civilized” leaders of Islam have claimed this isn’t entirely true and that they don’t support them. But at the same time they don’t stop them. They use their holy places to hide and protect the jihadist from our troops and police. They hide them and fail to identify them to the local authorities for subsequent arrest. If I in the name of the Catholic Church declared war on Muslims, do you think the Church would aid me much less hide me? I hold no illusions that I would be alone in my efforts. Let’s cut to the chase. Let’s consider this a war and deal with it as such. If we don’t want to hurt those Muslims who call for peace, then they should join us and help eliminate those members of their religion that do want to fight. In any war there are two sides. It seems lately, we have created a new class of beings. That is the class of “Fence Sitters,” people who through their own silence or tacit support allow something to continue that they publicly decry. I know some will call me a hawk but isn’t time we quit letting these terrorists push us and make us wonder when and where the next attack will occur? Also, if the mainstream Islam wants to not stand against them, then they should be ready to fight with them.

Daily Thoughts - VIII

Well, let me see where I can begin.

To the people of England – hang in there, those criminals will never beat us. I sometimes get mad because the Government won’t get serious in dealing with these terrorists. They, the government, speak out and blow off steam to get attention and get elected but when the bombs blow up; they just spout platitudes and go on their merry way.

I love it when a HIV/Aids free clinic can’t raise the funds needed to stay in business gets money given to them by the local governments. Why are you giving my tax dollars away like that? If people don’t care enough to donate why saddle the rest of us with the bill. What free stuff do I get as a result? I have to pay for all my medical care. Believe me; I struggle to make ends meet to pay those bills. I have yet to see any handouts come my way.

Supreme Court – Let’s get some none lawyer types in there to get a real perspective on life. Since when have lawyers been anointed to decide all life issues for Americans? There are many people out there that have a good grasp on life and can make some reasoned and logic choices. If they get stuck on a legal point, well duh, use one of the law clerks to help clarify it. Besides, not all cases require a pure legal disposition. Homosexuality, definition of marriage, Ethics and the role of God in our lives, basic rights of all people are value judgments based on common sense, morality and a sense of fairness. Why can’t a philosopher be Supreme Court Justice?

When will we wake up and deal with child predators. From what I am seeing any attempts to “rehabilitate them” is failing miserably. The sickening part is “our children are the ones at risk.” I guess until some adults feel the same fear and danger nothing will happen. Almost seems like we would rather shut it out than deal with an unpleasant subject. You say the predator has basic rights .. I say they lost them when they committed those heinous crimes and were convicted of the crime.

More to Come ......

Daily Thoughts - VII

Well, I am back safe and sound from the sandy world of Florida. The computers replacement and setup went well except for the fact UPS lost one of them in shipping. So, now I get to plan another trip in July so I can finish the job.

The load of dirt turned out to be two loads. Gee, mom sure knows the value of getting all you can out of free labor. Get out the Ben-gay and ace bandage and have at it. We got the dirt for the most part spread out. Other “sonny-do” projects completed were tear down the old ramp to the porch, make the sputtering riding mower run once ok again with tires that had air in them, move the outside AC unit to a better platform, clean-up branches and assorted stuff that had accumulated on the property. So I guess all in all it was a successful venture. The return trip was long as we drove through the Smokey Mountains. But the drive was worth it as we ate dinner at The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

I only watched a total of 5 minutes of news these past few days so I can not think of any comments. Gee, maybe life would be so much better if we all avoided the news channels.

While at the Grocery, I did see where an Angel was killed by Lightening according to one of those well written news papaers. I was crushed by the thought of one dying. Curious thought, if angels are heavenly bodies, how can they die? Isn’t that like saying God was playing with a thunderstorm in the backyard and a bolt of lightening struck him, killing him? Oh well, another childhood fantasy just died.