Reno 2007

For those who want to know.

ITINERARY
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Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS) to Reno, NV (RNO)
19-MAR-07; 4:05 pm - 22-MAR-07; 9:14 am
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Service: 29 Capitol Limited
Duration: 17h 35m

Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS)
19-MAR-07; 4:05 pm

Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI)
20-MAR-07; 8:40 am

5 Reserved Coach Seats
Amenities: Dining car, Lounge, Checked baggage
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Service: 5 California Zephyr
Duration: 45h 24m

Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI)
20-MAR-07; 1:50 pm

Reno, NV (RNO)
22-MAR-07; 9:14 am

5 Reserved Coach Seats
Amenities: Dining car, Lounge, Checked baggage

In Reno we have reservations at the Silver Legacy:

HOTEL RESERVATION INFORMATION
Hotel name: Silver Legacy Resort Casino
Address: 407 N Virginia St
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: 800-687-8733

The reservation is in my name.
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Reno, NV (RNO) to Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS)
25-MAR-07; 3:58 pm - 28-MAR-07; 1:30 pm
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Service: 6 California Zephyr
Duration: 45h 7m

Reno, NV (RNO)
25-MAR-07; 3:58 pm

Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI)
27-MAR-07; 3:05 pm

5 Reserved Coach Seats
Amenities: Dining car, Lounge, Checked baggage
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Service: 30 Capitol Limited
Duration: 17h 25m

Chicago - Union Station, IL (CHI)
27-MAR-07; 7:05 pm

Washington - Union Station, DC (WAS)
28-MAR-07; 1:30 pm

5 Reserved Coach Seats
Amenities: Dining car, Lounge, Checked baggage
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Quickie 107

I am tired. This weekend has been fun and busy. The Microwave died Friday so I spent Saturday finding a new one. Sunday was the snowstorm. They predicted 1 inch and a lot of ice and all we got was 6 inches of wet heavy snow. I am tired of shoveling. Bowling for both leagues was cancelled. I was looking forward to starting my tournament prep, oh well there is always next weekend. I made the mistake of taking Starr and Princess and a few of their friends out to the steak house. They made a major dent in the Steak House food supplies.

Wild Mom reports the yard fix is working but we need to tweak the front yard some. Guess I have a job to do in April if it works out. Other than that, she is packing for Reno.

Lady has been sick and is slowly getting over it. Having the little dynamo (Lew) this weekend did not help a lot. She really likes the new Microwave. We also ordered her Mothers Ring on Saturday so in a week she will be super happy. Lady is also a great aunt now. No way! She is not that old.

#1 is doing fine. Starting to figure out where lady will sleep when she gets there next month.

#2 was not around very much this weekend.

Starr went to South Boston for her Grandmothers viewing and funeral. For the most part all went well. Keith was going to be there but the weather messed that up. Oh well, that will make the March meeting all that better.

Princess was at the station this weekend. She even managed to get CPR qualified. Actually, she liked the buddy breathing part or shall we say the legal kissing part.

I saw this and found it interesting.

Media comparisons between Viet Nam and our current war piqued my interest so I researched the following. I guess we're at step 3 now with the rest to quickly follow. I just wonder if everyone understands what's coming.

Viet Nam and Iraq Comparison
(Six Steps to Defeat)

Step 1:

• Viet Nam - As the war went badly, the press and the public increasingly saw it as a failure. When Nixon took over he transferred responsibility to the Vietnamese who won some battles but the public and Congress continued to see Viet Nam as a failure and so it became.
• Iraq - As the war goes badly, the press and gradually the public see it as a failure. After the golden dome was bombed in Samarra and sectarian violence followed, the anti-war movement in America was greatly encouraged. Even Jane Fonda is reappearing in anti-war rallies. Like 1968, we're now changing field commanders in an attempt to turn things around but don't have the patience to judge any effectiveness.
  

Step 2:

• Viet Nam - Our politicians started the blame game. Some blamed the American government and some blamed the Vietnamese government all the more fueling the public's frustration.
• Iraq - Now our politicians have started the blame game. Many of them are blaming the American government as well as the Iraqi government we're defending. Sen. Clinton: "I would never cut money for our troops when they're in harm's way. But I sure would threaten to cut money for the Iraqi troops and for the security for the Iraqi leadership. I don't know how else to get their attention." Others are not so tactful in their statements.
  

Step 3:

• Viet Nam - Congress began passing resolutions and holding hearings criticizing the war.
• Iraq - Congress is currently attempting to pass resolutions criticizing the war and promising a multitude of hearings that will undermine any further support for any efforts being made in Iraq.
  

Step 4:

• Viet Nam - Congress and the public forced Nixon to turn over the military burden to the Vietnamese and begin withdrawing our troops. Over the next few years, the Vietnamese actually won some battles but the media failed to report any of these victories and only reported what was bad about what was happening. The public continued to be against the war.
• Iraq - 'Let them fight their own war' Calls are being made in congress to force the Iraqi army to take over total combat operations. "We shouldn't be in the middle of a civil war" is a familiar refrain.
  

Step 5:

• Viet Nam - Congress voted to cut all funding for the war. Ignoring any successes of the Vietnamese military, congress then, in a bipartisan manner, voted to withdraw all military support to the South Vietnamese.
• Iraq - 'Cut all War Funding` Already being discussed. John Murtha and others are calling for a total cut in funding.
  

Step 6:

• Viet Nam - Collapse of a country and it's aftermath. When the Viet Cong took over the south, a murderous purge took place in Cambodia and throughout the region. Here at home, Jimmy Carter cut our military budget and shredded our intelligence community. Russia became emboldened and invaded Afghanistan.
• Iraq - 'Collapse within the country we were helping?' Most likely, the region will be consumed in unfettered ethnic warfare with the Shiites aligning themselves with the Iranians who are or have developed nuclear bombs. Al Qaeda will have outlasted the United States in our war against terrorism and will resume it's attacks against us as we lower our guard by cutting back on Homeland Defense's ability to track and investigate terrorist cells here in our country.

Give Us a Break

Work, Work, Work, all I seem to do is work. Is there anyone who goofs off for a living want to trade? I took Princess to Ft. Belvoir to get her new ID card and get her car registered on Base. Do you realize that no matter how much you prep for your ID picture, just like the driver’s license picture, it always look horrible?

Reno is less than a month away. This time next month, I will be in Denver and Lady will be spending the day with #1. I finally got the room reservations at the Silver Legacy in Reno. Only thing left to do now is figure out how to pay for all this.

Wild Mom is silent as she saves up for Reno. Three Days on the train! I must remember to buy me an Ipod to take with me.

Lady just works away and spends time doing some of her many projects.

#1 returned my mail that was sent him. He has managed to almost make it to spring without capturing any snow bunnies. Perhaps I should mail him some cats because we all know he is lonely.

#2 is driving and getting use to the safe roads of Virginia. Other than that, it seems Critty is getting most of his attention.

Starr is being her loveable self. I think she needs a few more workdays to keep her wallet from nipping her on the bum because its stomach is empty.

Princess is legal now. Whoa, there guys … not that legal. She has her ID card for the base. Now she can checkout the GI’s like big sister did. Fire station training is back in full swing. I guess we will just have to think of her, but only for a minute as we cruise to the warm islands in the Caribbean.

Lew is in Florida chasing the bikinis around the beach.

##### ##### #####

Well Nancy Grace on CNN has no material for her show now. After finding Anna Nicole Smith’s will she have nothing to speculate on and bore us to tears. That woman will milk a turnip to try a make her show go.

Chuckles

After every flight,UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The
mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS ' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way,UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last ...

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

Being Lazy

Another weekend has slipped into the pages of history. We are slowly digging out of the ice. Right now, I am waiting for the sun to soften the ice up so I can go out and hack away at it. Bowling was a mixed bag this week as the kids went 2-2 and the night team went 7-0. I was beginning to wonder after the first game with the kids. The other team slammed us and I started wondering why we as a team did not click and bowl good. Then the second and third game they did and we destroy the other team. I am hoping they learn to bowl as a team and winning can be a constant occurrence. There is only a month until we head for Reno and the National Tournament, so I guess I need to get started prepping and get ready for this one. Too many eyes will be watching me.

Wild Mom is probably starting the packing process for next month. I contacted Amtrak and they are adding an extra baggage car for her.

Lady is working today. She had a good day bowling yesterday. She was a bit off center as Lew was not here to keep the activity level high.

#1 is doing well and not much to say. He does enjoy the boxes of homemade cookies Lady fixes and sends to him. His big challenge now is to get a bed for Lady to sleep on when she gets there in March.

#2 had his first driving lesson. Yes, we survived and the car returned with no new wrinkles in it. He and Critty was our guest at the sweetheart dinner and Lady and I really enjoyed the time. This was just one of those growing moments all parents enjoy.

Starr was, well Starr was Starr. You never know how she will be dressed even to just go out and get coffee at Starbucks. She did not have to work as they already had a full shift. Some of her hours are dictated by how much another young woman who is pregnant can work. Now we have to get her an inside job that pays more. Waiting tables is a great way to tide you over but we want to see her go further especially since we know she has the smarts to go far.

Princess spent most of the weekend at the Station. After being stuck at home all week, she wanted to be stuck at the fire station. We could not talk her into being with us at the dinner. I did ask the people who prepared the dinner to maybe next time include more fast food. This way the younger crowd would come. There is something about a buffalo wing dinner we cannot compete against with a balanced meal.

Monday - No puppy … No Puppy
Tuesday - No puppy … No Puppy
Wednesday - No puppy … No Puppy
Thursday - No puppy … No Puppy
Friday - No puppy … No Puppy
Saturday - No puppy … No Puppy
Sunday - No puppy … No Puppy

Ok, got that out of the way for the week.

Lew was in time-out and did not spend the weekend with us.

Well another state adds civil unions to what it will allow.

##### ##### #####

I see the Democrats are still beating up Bush on Iraq. I wonder when they will step up to the plate and put forth a plan to deal with the problem as they see it. However, they will not because that means taking a stand and facing the music if it backfires. We all know the Democrats do not have that much inner fortitude since all they can do is gripe.

Looks like MLB will allow Bonds to break Aaron’s record after the Giant’s agreed to terms. It appears cheating will be the new norm for MLB. Why play fair is you can cheat and do it easier. What a sad signal is being sent by MLB to the youth. If this record is allowed to be broken by juicer Bonds then vote Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame. Do not penalize Pete anymore if the rules are meant to be broken.

Quickie 106

Well, I returned to work today and nothing has changed other than the work piling up as the managers keep adding projects. Through it all I did manage to get computers fixed and get caught up on things. Next week is dedicated to installing Zimbra, a web-based email system. That should prove to be fun.

I saw a great cruise flyer for a Round the World Cruise on the HMS Queen Victoria lasting from 01/13/08 till 04/28/08. I would love to go on that one but I know right now it is just a dream. I guess we all need dreams like cruises and puppies but we must know dreams don't always come true.

We finally figured out what is happening to our snail mail. Things I was expecting (like checks) wound up being sent to #1 as a result of his mail forwarding request. Time to stop that. It seems our brain dead postal workers can't tell the difference between William J and William M.

Wild Mom reported that the work we did last weekend held up very well during the last rainstorm. There are a couple of things to fix but the basic problem has greatly abated. So I guess April will hold a Florida Work Weekend.

Lady is getting ready for the Sweetheart Dinner on Saturday. Guess I better invite her to go with me. This time of the year is hard on someone living in a doghouse.

#1 is doing fine. He is trying to figure out why he is getting all my mail. Hope he has a plan for Lady to stay with him in March.

#2 is getting ready for Saturday Night with Critty. Now he has to learn how to store a wine bottle so that all the contents won't run out onto the floor.

Starr is getting ready for work tomorrow. We survived another hair dying night without any major damage. Still waiting to hear about the other potential job she is trying for. Need Money is the motto here.

Princess is bored. This is a downside to all the consecutive weather days that closed the schools. She wants to start bowling again next season. Is the world ready for that? I had to put up a pair of "love dice" when she started playing with them. I guess she wanted to practice before challenging her "boy friend" to a game.

##### ##### #####

I am watching the story of the NBA player who wants nothing to do with gay people. Why is he being hounded for it? Why does he have to do what he doesn't want to do or like? So now we have to like them and want to be with them or we get ostracized. I too don't like to be around them either as it makes me uncomfortable. So am I to be blacklisted too? I have a right to choose who I am with or associate with and until I act in an unlawful or abusive manner the others should just back off.

Short Note

Today was a bit rough. I didn't have to go to work because of the ice storm so I was able to stay home. We survived the storm with no accidents. Well, perhaps a few bruised tushes when they forgot about the ice on the ground. With it being a snow day the kids were home also. Nothing like a day spent with bored kids with nothing to do. They asked for the day off (actually they begged for God to make the weather) and then were bored. I never got "snow days" when I was in school nor did I ever get "teacher planning days" either.

Today was the One year anniversary of Dad's passing. I just really didn't have a lot of get up and go. I think I thought of him at least once every hour. I think of the days when we didn't say anything to each other because we were too busy or preoccupied with something else and went our own ways. Now I would give anything to have those days back. Just a few days would be great. I am still in awe of his impact on so many lives. Some of those lives after a year still have a big hole in them because he can't be replaced. I wish I could step up but I can't because his shoes are bigger than most men can fill. Where did this year go to? Maybe I have been in a haze for the last 12 months.

Work continues like it has been for the last six months. The best part of the day is lunch that is if I don't get a few phone calls during it. It is so frustrating watching this company beat itself silly as it tries to save a nickel so the CEO can get a bigger bonus. They will spend $10.00 to save a nickel and consider it responsible. The only thing "responsible" about this is they will be responsible when they run a good company into the ground.

You know you are having a bad day when they recall "Peanut Butter" because the label doesn't say it has peanuts inside and the word "Peanut" isn't prominently displayed on the label.

Billy J. Davis
March 1933 - February 2006
-- Love You Dad --

Oh, my aching back

Well, it is time I wrote something down. I did go to Florida and hopefully fixed the drainage problem at moms. Like usual the ride down and back home was way to long for a normal human being to tolerate. I do want to thank Carl and Michael for going down and helping. I couldn't have done it alone or at least without returning home with a bad back. It feels good to be back in to the same routine once again. The only remaining question is when will all the stuff start?

Wild Mom is happy that we came and got a lot done. Believe me the sonny-do list was more than long enough for the hours we had available. Saturday Night's dinner at the Oar House was great and Sunday lunch at the Red Barn BBQ wasn't that bad. Believe it or not, Wild Mom cooked dinner Friday night and it was good. Ham and potato salad is always a winning combination. Just after we left Sunday night, a real good friend of Wild Mom passed away. Though we hate to lose her I know she is better off and in a much better place. Monday found Wild Mom taking off to go camping. Something about going into the woods and letting her wild side take over. Kind of reminds me of Sasquatch.

Lady had a quiet weekend. Well, sort of. Lew managed to get uninvited next weekend. This is the second weekend that he has acted out and made our time together very unenjoyable. She got her car fixed so now her tootsies won't get cold.

#1 is all and well. Life is settling into a pattern. I wonder if we will recognize him when we pass through Denver next month.

#2 was a great help in Florida. It was fun watching him when the waitress at Denny's like him. He would make a mistake while ordering his food and she enjoyed smiling and calling him honey while he straightened it out.

Starr is sick and trying to get over the crud. Work is going well and there is potential for a second job that makes more money. Time will tell. She is kind of grounded because she left a glass of water next to the computer keyboard and the cat knocked it over. Bye Bye Keyboard. So she is down to her cell phone as a way to communicate. She watched Max while I was gone so hopefully the maternal instinct is satisfied for QUITE A LONG TIME.

Princess is also sick and trying to get over the crud. Hmmm, is the fire station to blame? Or is it too much smacky lips with the boy friend. Oops, Starr has it too so the boy friend can't be the source ... unless! It is hard to believe she has been here some 9 months now. Even after 9 months she hasn't learned she can't out wrestle me. Even as old and ancient as I am ... I am better than her.

Mormonville sent pictures of the new family member. I am amazed how average looking parents (at least on the Dad's part) can have such a beautiful baby. Must be something in the water.

Are we that dumb?

This will be a great work week. I only work 3 days and then it is off to Florida. I picked up the van after it was repaired from Starr’s wild tree incident. Kevin did a real super job. Now I have to get the brakes and oil change done and it will be good till 300,000 miles.

Work continues to be a pain in the arse. The new manager has succeeded in being promoted way past his competence level. His management decisions really suck. From what I can see morale among the employees is really low. If you make a decision he will tell you he will support you and then when it happens he pulls the rug out from under you. He has his pet people who can't do wrong and that is just flat wrong. Retirement sure looks better and better. At least with me the boss of my business that crap doesn't happen.

I can't wait for Reno. I always enjoy my trip and this year won't be any different.

Wild Mom is dreaming and scheming in preparation to us coming this weekend to work. I still need to go to RiteAid and load up on Ben-gay and icy-hots.

Lady is still exercising and working to fit into her bikini in time for the Mediterranean Cruise. I don’t think the “All natural beach” is in the cards but an “itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini” is.

#1 is making us proud as he continues to make it on his own. Though Lady wishes it wasn’t on the other side of the world.

#2 is waiting to start his driving course. We are beginning to think that getting a job is as hard as picking the right case in “Deal or No Deal.”

Starr is working at Tom’s Diner which is relatively close to the house. Gee, she can save gas by just walking to work. Hmmm! I still have my fingers crossed that she will head for Texas before long.

Princess still does the jiggy jig when school is closed for less than 1” of snow. This school system is a wimp. When I lived in Minot North Dakota, I can remember walking to school in knee high snow (yes, I lived too close for the bus) and bundled up like an Eskimo in the 0 degree weather. Princess struggles if the car she drives isn’t pre-warmed for the 5 minute drive to school. The puppy whines have resumed but like any other sniffle it will go away. To her credit she has been home a lot more … though her boy-friend has been here more … perhaps in time she will see my point of view and send him packing. Like all daddy’s I think she is too good for anyone.

#################################

Gee even education, a great job, and super adventure can’t keep an astronaut from joining the 100 mile high club and then getting jealous. Maybe she sucked too much Oxygen and it wiped out her wedding vows. Just from a military aspect you have a Colonel having an affair with a Lt Commander and assaulting a junior officer. This is called Fraternization. This alone says she should be drummed out of the service. Or do astronauts get preferential treatment? Actually they all should be punished for their parts. The Lt Commander was having an affair with a sub-ordinate (captain) which is wrong. The captain should be reprimanded for doing what she knew as wrong. Just goes to show you a little secret whoopee messes everything up. I see they are already talking a psych defense. Excuse me, but the astronauts are in excellent physical and mental health so this defense is paramount to saying that outer space is full of US Nuts or is that Space Balls?

Red lights camera again? They are discussing it once again along with talks on how to get more transportation money. But they only install the cameras for safety reasons … right? Only if you suck the same stuff the astronaut stalker did will you believe that line.

Well, after about 120 days, I see the Democratic Congress is just as inept as their counterparts. They don’t give a hoot about the country if it interferes with their politics. With so many yahoos’ running for President, you can’t believe a word from any of them. I still think Santorum is the best choice!

Pie in the Sky

The weekend draws to a close but I still have one more day to goof off. Even though the Florida trip was cancelled I went ahead and burned two days off. If I don't I will lose it. Right now the plan is to head south this weekend if the weather cooperates. Bowling was a bust tonight. As a team we just couldn't get in sync. Oh well, plenty of weeks left. Church was great and the Souper Bowl get together was a lot of fun. It seemed this weekend we managed to eat late every night this weekend. The house dynamics were pretty much the same as they have been the last few weeks.

I won't say much in this venue as people tend to take offense and want to disagree with even the basic premises. So that has been a major factor in me shifting part of my writing to a journal. Sometimes I need to be able to vent and speak my mind without getting second guessed or having it interpreted differently. Yes, for those who read between the lines I am not a happy camper. I wish I was but it seems to not be in the cards. Maybe I have watched too much TV and had dreams based on what I saw. While I hold to my principles and that which matters most ... my dreams have crumbled a bit. Will I let it get me down? No, I just keep moving forward and searching. I will blame the TV and books for giving me the wrong view and vow to never trust them again. But, sadly I will because we all seek to be needed and have that pie in the sky relationships that only are seen on "Father Knows Best" and "The Little House on the Prairie." I would sure love to say "Dad, what would you say or do."

Wild Mom gets another week of rest before we invade her place and eat her out of house and home. Who knows maybe we will do a little work. :)

Lady was on the go all weekend and stood there with me this weekend through thick and thin. After baby showers, soup dinners, exercise routines and grandkids ... she is ready to go back to work.

#1 froze his butt off as the temps dipped into the negative numbers. Betcha Florida is looking good to him about now.

#2, well lets just say he participated in life.

Starr is still in our life and leave the rest to we agree to disagree. She went shopping to get some clothes for work tomorrow and also bought some clothes from Hot Topic at the mall. Not my kind of clothes store but she sure liked it.

Princess did her time at the station, hung out with her best friend and even squeezed in some work at Yorkshire restaurant.

Lew was a hand full this weekend. He had a major attitude both days. Maybe he copped some of mine? Getting him dressed to go to Grandma's today was quite a negative experience. We finally just stopped, wrapped him in a blanket half nekkid and carried him there. The body is designed only to take so much then you quit and exert you will.

Still no pictures from Mormonville of the new baby. Could it be the new-fangled camera has out-witted the new dad?

Quickie 105

Well, the road trip to Florida is off. High chance of rain down there and ice/snow up here and down the way we go to Florida made it prudent to not go this weekend. But next weekend we are a GO. Feeling better today as I get use to that missing tooth but that stupid tongue still checks the space out. Maybe if I tie it down it will stop. A little duct tape to the rescue. So now I get to plan my weekend and try and not work the whole time.

For now the Mediterranean Cruise is back on. Hopefully everything is resolved.

Blue man Group coming to town on March 13 ... gotta gets some tickets for that one.

Wild Mom is disappointed but she understands the reasons besides it won't hurt to wait a few days. We all know she can't have her way all the time. Well, only Mother Nature gets that. She is happy that her train ticket to Reno is done. I hope she doesn't pack like it was the end of the world and makes the train add another baggage car.

#1 reports all is well and the snow bunnies are so elusive. Psst, someone tell him to bag his face and he might have better luck. On second thought ... forget the snow bunnies because all they will cause is trouble.

#2 found the secret to passing the Virginia drivers test ... read the book. Congrats, my insurance will never be the same now. If you read the book, will you get a job?

Starr continues to apply the pressure for a tattoo. But I still manage to keep my wits even with all the sweet pleas.

Princess is getting ready for her weekend hiatus at the station. She was a sleep when we got home last night so I was unable to move my wrestling record to 93-0. No boyfriends over last night so that must have been painful. I wonder if the Animal Society will be doing their thing at El Agave this weekend?

Mormonville is doing well. We spoke for a while last night and I was happy to hear all was going well with baby and mom.

Quickie 104

Well, let me see where do I start? I am sorry if I don't write as much since I started journaling everyday. I needed somewhere to vent and ramble on. Sometimes it is hard to rehash something I said in the journal. Besides after I have unloaded my feelings and thoughts in that forum I just have nothing left for this one. Pleas for the location of that journal are not going to be honored.

Last night ended with us really wondering about our cruise in November. Their shift to the new and bigger boat left us in a smaller room and down in the lower floors. Yes the suites got bigger but the peasant class got worse. Looks like we may cancel and schedule a cruise on a ship we know is better and costs less. The Mediterranean cruise is nice but I will only bend over so far.

The day started off by getting a tooth pulled. That meant “no coffee” So that adventure got things rolling really well.

Someone remind me if I ever slip and consider taking in another kid that "no more kids are allowed after the present ones are gone." I guess some of the shininess is gone and I have come to realize that what I believe is right and how it should be done ... isn't so. For I have built my life and character on several concepts and pillars. I am too old to change besides I believe my ideas are right.

Our Bible Study is shifted to Wednesday night since Choir practice moved to Thursday night for a few weeks.

Wild Mom is getting the food ready but we are unsure if we will head that way tomorrow night since there is a 50% of rain. More to follow.

Lady is having fun at work. She does her exercises upstairs now and I enjoy the view. I have a new book that should prove a lot of fun to read together.

#1 is doing well and settling into the Colorado life style. We are hoping we can see him a bit in March. For some unexplained reason we miss him but we know it is the best for him.

#2 is having fun on the new computer and generally not looking for any work. He is also struggling with the Drivers test as Virginia's test is harder than West Virginia's test. :)

Starr keeps life interesting if not a bit hectic at times. But we love her and having her here. She didn't have enough tattoos so she got another one last night. Before you know it she will have no clear space for a father/daughter one.

Princess got one too. I probably never will understand the need to have so many of them but what the heck it is her body. Oh, she had her new squeeze over last night to look at pictures. I reserve my comments on that.

Baby Girl is the word from Mormonville and mom and daughter are doing well. Dad hasn't figured out yet what to do with all the cigars.

I heard today that a new law was going to require registered sex-offenders to register their email address so they could be monitored. Well excuse me but all the normal people in the world know that everyone has at least 2 or more addresses they use. So what is the point? They give them bubba@hotmail and then terrorize all the kids using another one that they use. If they feel they are being watched then get another one. It is stupid and wasteful to use something that is unregulated to try and regulate someone. Perhaps the law makers need a wake-up call .. Let’s say .. Get a life!!

Is Rubbing Your Eyes Allowed?

Well, Monday starts rather early this week with a call from work at 06:18 am. After a while playing with printers and 3 cups of coffee, I sit here wide awake. Thank you God for allowing me to see the sunrise on Monday morning.

Bowling this weekend wasn't a fun time. The kids lost going 0-4 and the evening team went 2-5. What is a real pisser is that I had to bowl two people blind and that usually means "loss." Particularly, I am pissed at the person who was supposed to be there and wasn't. We gave away 20 pins automatically because of the blind scores and I lost the first two games by 30 pins each. We won the last by only 2 pins so that was a bit suspenseful.

On the church scene, they took a vote Sunday to allow the building to be used by another church startup. I was disappointed as we have the facilities being used everyday by numerous groups. I so dislike coming in on Sunday morning and finding all my tables and chairs removed from my classroom. It seems nothing is ever done about this problem except say "we are working on that." I prefer so see people step up and make a personal commitment (financially and time-wise) to the Church. But we lost 9-2. To me the best move was to have us step up and get involved and then offer our facilities to the NEW church as a gift and make their contribution more of a donation if they are able. If they are unable, then it is a gift from us to help them get started. Charge them rent or give them a gift ... which is more the Christian way?

This weekend I head for Florida for a workday at Wild Mom's unless the weather doesn't cooperate and we get rained out. Don't you just love the prospect of a 15.5 hour drive to end the week and the same drive back to start the week?

Saturday night was game night at the farm. As usual, I won. We did have a good time or at least I thought so. I guess the next time someone else (they claimed dibs on picking the game) will pick the game they think they can win at. But they don't realize I won the Base Championship at Udorn RTAFB playing that game. :) Victory is sooooooooo sweet.

Lady is trying to figure out what happened to her weekend. The week was so full and then the weekend just flew by before she could get everything done. Hmmm, dare I say "shove the job?"

#1 continues to work, play soccer and enjoy the snow. He is not having too much luck with the patch. Smoking is such a nasty habit to break once you start.

#2 is playing games when he is here. At least the room is partially clean ... what can you expect!

Star is having a bumpy road right now and she is tired of jiggling all the time. She wants to sign up as a volunteer firefighter/EMT at Station 16. Can I stand having 2 people as EMT's? I won't get into a long diatribe about this move. I will just wait and see. If anyone has a gizmo that will alert you when a tree is near, please forward it too me. A tree this weekend jumped out and attacked my van while Star was driving and the tree managed to mess up the rear taillight and some body metal. Those things are so dastardly. It attacked from the rear with no warning. She was ok while just sporting a new shade of red on her face.

Since Star and Princess are doing the same thing and basically hanging out with each other ... maybe I can just combine the comments about each of them. Saves some writing.

Princess ... ditto ... see above comments. Really, school is going well except for the math and while it has improved, it remains closer to the tail than the head. Yes, the room got rearranged again. Also the cry "puppy please" was resurrected. Speaking of puppies. I saw a cute one (Rottie/lab mix) at PETCO on Saturday and almost brought it home. But reason prevailed and we parted ways. Actually, it reminded me so much of JJ. That is my rottie that died a few years ago and I can't even tell you how much I miss her. After 16 years, JJ left a big hole. Even Lady J almost brought one home, German Sheppard, ... she was closer to doing that than me.

Lew was his usual self though he did pitch a few fits at the most inopportune times. I am getting too old for those games. But it takes just one hug and an "I love you" to reset your tolerance level until the next time.

Quickie 103

Well, not much going on except work and more work. Some people get dumber and dumber. I am still amazed at how workers these days will ask you a question by email and include your boss in the addressee's. Are we so micro-managed that we must do that or are we wanting to make the other person look bad? If I were the manager, I wouldn't want to see that petty crap ... deal with it. before email, you had to type an extra copy or xerox it thus making it harder. Now you just add an address and sit back.

Wild Mom finally got the County to show up and see her water problem. Only time will tell now what they will do and how soon. My project is all planned and just waiting for our weekend to head down there.

Lady is still working and enjoying the commute. Not! She is already looking forward to March and our short vacation to Reno.

#1 found out the patch didn't work so well and it is back to Marlboro time. Work is still going good. I wonder how the furniture quest is going.

#2 finally got his new computer so we haven't seen much of him this week.

Star has been kinda of quiet the last few days and spending a lot of time with her sister. I guess time will tell me why.

Princess not only cleaned her room (finally) but rearranged it. It must be in a woman's genes to rearrange every time they clean. Is it that they move the furniture to cover the mess?

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My solution to the illegal immigrant and school problem is to charge every child to attend school. If it takes $2000 to teach them each year then charge them $2000. Then each year you claim that on your income tax and get a refund of the money. If you don't file because you aren't paying taxes ... then you don't get it back. The illegals pay for school and the legals get a free education. A similar plan could be used for medical expenses. I could tolerate the illegal immigrants being here and working if they paid their way (school, health, property taxes and such). But I don't like the fact they get free what I have to pay for.

If the military wants to ease manpower problems then change the 50% retirement to 30 years. I retired at 20 years and was only 38 years old. I felt I had a lot more to offer but the USAF pushed their early retirement crap. USAF ... you lose.

Bi-partisan cooperation ... all I have seen is Democratic strong handing, unmoveable positions, squabbling and nothing getting done unless it is a pet project of someone. Tackle the hard problems such as Social Security, Health care, Medications and a Balanced budget. We have already seen your non-action plan for Iraq and settling in to grouse about the Bush Plan instead of doing something.

Coffee Cups

Saw this and thought you might like it ...

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told the group to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up quickly, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups ...

... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of the Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. God brews the coffee, not the cups ... Enjoy your coffee!"

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. You are the miracle, my friend, your life either shines a light - or casts a shadow.

Have a wonderful day!

Brrrrrr

Well, here I am again. When does this ride end? January is almost over and I don't seem to know where it has gone. The weekend started quietly and ended with a bit more excitement. The first ice/snow of the year appeared on Sunday and driving was an experience. I escaped with no fender dings just a few slip and slides and close calls. Bowling was fun as usual since you can forget the world for a while and focus on just the job at hand. The best game was a 265 and made things really fun. The kids went 2-2 and we don't know yet for Sunday Night as the other team will make up later this week. But we did give them some good scores to deal with. Wish the cruise would hurry up and get here.

Wild Mom got me the information needed for the water project and it is now planned. All we have to do now is get the stuff and do the work. Looks like the first weekend in February is the target now.

Lady slept in this morning as she avoided the worse of the rush hour and snow/ice issues. Maybe now this week it will be harder to put in 40 hours. She couldn't resist calling #1 on Sunday to announce "we have snow." :)

#2 is still waiting for the new machine.

Lew was here and managed to provide 676,329 laughs and a few "glad he goes home later." He was there to speak with "knucklehead" who promptly called him "punk." It was fun Saturday night watching him shadow box while the Boxing was on the TV.

Star was at the Installation on Saturday too. She managed to turn a few heads with her fancy hairdo, revealing dress and new jewelry. Hmmm, hope she broke no necks as they swiveled about. Sitting at the Beauty parlor with her as her hair was done was an experience. Some of the people that showed up there made it worthwhile. Wrinkles and sags to boot.

Princess racked up hours at the Fire House, danced the night away at the "Installation" and got bonus time at the Fire House during the storm.

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Wouldn't you just love it if Hillary got zero votes!!!

Our first snow/ice of the year and the great Road Crews of Virginia were their usual inept selves. They knew this was coming, had a couple of days to prepare and still managed to blow it and not be ready.

Congrats to the Colts and Bears. By the way, the Ravens are still whining about their piss poor effort.

Ok, Democrats, if Bush's plan is bad then submit your own plan that will solve the War. But you won't since any plan has a chance of failure and you don't have the guts take that chance. You would rather snipe, grip and whine with a little bit of backstabbing than fix the problem and help save the lives of the soldiers you claim to care so much for. We ought to exchange the whole Democratic Congress for a bunch of French men. At least we know where they stand.

Choices

The young boy awoke from a deep sleep as something wet brushed across his face. Still as he was half awake, the young boy could feel something heavy on his chest while still feeling something wet on his face. Opening one eye he tried to see what it was but quickly closed it as once again something wet touched his eyelid. Rolling to his side he tried to open his eyes and was successful and then he could see what was happening. A brown puppy with the largest tongue ever sat there staring him in the face all the while the puppy's tail smacked his stomach. Every time he moved now the puppy yapped at him as if to say "lay still I am not finished." The young boy then gathers the dog in his arms and applied his own kind of love. As he hugged him and cried, he promised the dog they would be friends forever and nothing would ever separate them.As time passed, the boy and dog were inseparable. The dog sat at the door every afternoon waiting for his best friend to return home from some place he wasn't allowed to go. No matter the separation, the two of them went through the same routine day after day for months on end. But one day things changed as the puppy wasn't there in his usual spot by the door. The young boy searched all about and finally found his best friend out in the back yard playing with various toys that had been bought for him over the years. In the past he had been too preoccupied to play with them. "Mom, why is he out there and not waiting at the door for me like he use too?" Mom slowly dried her hands and then placed the big pot on the stove. "Son, he waited as usual but it seems you get home later and later." The young boy look astounded ... but? Mom smiled, "your soccer practice, stopping off with friends, sleep overs and just generally not hurrying home as made you later and later each day." "But he can wait!" the young boy replied. "Yes, but you have changed your habits so can't he change his?" The boy looked amazed, "he is just a dog ... he could wait." Mom smiled, "No son, you decided to do what you wanted too and you changed the priority of how important he is. The dog just found something else to occupy his time." But mom, I want him to greet me at the door and play like we use too." The feeble protest was attempted and the mother looked at him without answering. After a bit she spoke softly, "then you must be here like you use too, you must choose where he stands in your life." The boy pouted as he stood there. "He hates me that is why he didn’t and he is so selfish if he doesn't want to wait for me." Mom didn't even bother to answer. The boy sat there and cried some. After awhile mom spoke, "just go outside and play with the dog and if after dinner you feel that way, we will get rid of him." Reluctantly, the boy got up and went into the back yard only to attacked by a giant fur ball with a giant tongue. The two of them played for what seemed an eternity and were brought back to reality at the sound of mom's voice calling them that dinner was ready. About halfway through dinner, Mom queried the boy. "Do you still want to get rid of him?" The boy looked at her with a shocked look. "Why? All he needed was me to make some time for him. He is still my best friend." Mom smiled, "that mutt would die for you."

Quickie 102

Just another day in Paradise. Don't you love those people who expect preferential treatment? They want to do it their way which usually doesn't match what everyone else does or is allowed to do. Well, it seems I have to deal with one everyday and no relief is in sight any time soon. Oh well, maybe a steel suit of armor would work well. At least I am old enough I will die before it turns into forever. Work continues to be busy dealing with other people's "emergencies." It is amazing how someone's stupidness is my problem with a deadline of yesterday. I am reading a good book but I will have more to say about that later.

Wild Mom is waiting. We have a plan to fix her water problem without eating up too much of my inheritance. Looks like either Jan 27 or Feb 3 for a work weekend. The final detail will get ironed out by Sunday and then it is time to play weather watcher.

Lady is still working and thinking of the good life. She has been rather silent the last few days so in time her real position will be known. If not, just get use to the quiet.

#1 reports nothing new except more cold weather and snow.

#2 still waits for the computer and surprise his room is almost clean. Ok, I will pause as you put your socks back on after they got knocked off. --- Pause ---

Star paces the floor waiting for the government to get their paycheck straightened out. Hmmm, sounds like a major shopping trip when they do. Oh, speaking of shopping. This weekend is Shaw Jeweler's New Year sale and I have a bunch of coupons to spend. I have $700 to spend before I spend any of my money. I wonder if she will go and find something pretty for me to waste the coupons on. If not I will find a pretty girl walking by or just spend it on me.

Princess is at the Fire House, school or asleep.

Lew is resting up and getting ready for the invasion of our house on Saturday.

Yesterday's post about Jefferson's Book has brought me quite a few emails in support of it and all of them wish others would heed and learn a lesson of history.

Quickie 101

Well, it's hump day and the going looks clear for a hard landing. I need to put on my U.S. Keds and do some serious braking or I will be a geezer without ever experiencing life. This means I may have to write faster and more often ... hmmm ... sounds like a plan. Work is basically the same. The same people pulling the same crap ... will they ever learn? Gee, let me see ... I think the command is DEL *.*

Wild Mom will get a visit from me in the next couple of weeks. Me and a few friends will go down there and fix her water run-off problem. I suggested she take more showers using the run-off and save on the water bill. But as usual, she didn't listen. Oh, well, my aching back will get use to all the sonny-do's.

Lady still looking for some relief at work. Won't take many more 40 weeks to convince her the retirement home in St. Kitts BVI is a great place.

#1 is snowbound and haven't heard much fom him in the last few days. Some inventory thingy is happening and he will be busy. No snowbunnies have caught his eye yet.

#2 still dancing around awaiting for the computer that should be here anyday. Crunch time on the room cleanup is coming even faster.

Star is just as active as ever and keeping us laughing at her antics. Nothing like a new bride separated from Hubby to liven things up. Oh the aches and pains!! This past week or so has been great having her around and seeing her act "OLD" as she says.

Princess is at the Fire House or asleep.

All quiet on all the other fronts. Either they are having a great time or they don't want us to know anything. Such is life.