Daily Thoughts - VI

Today has been fun. My son and a friend volunteered to help move a friend Saturday and Sunday. Well, the friend’s car broke, so I spent the best part of the morning driving them some 160 miles to where they needed to be. And that means 160 miles back. Well, now my tummy hurts and it is getting close to Pepto time.

Well, the computers are shipped and bags almost packed, as I get ready to head out Monday to Florida. Let me see, the sonny-do list is Fix two computers plus one laptop, fix the electricity in Dad’s workshop and good ole mom just had a load of dirt delivered Friday. That is a subtle hint I will be shoveling dirt in my free time.

Our church just had Vacation Bible School and I help my wife a little bit in the nursery class. I know now why I don’t want any young kids. Count them, there were 7-10 of them for 3 hours and I pray it will be a year before I experience that again. It will take me that long to recuperate. Man, does red clay dirt, ice cream, water balloons, and bubbles make a mess.

*****

I am sorry to hear that three children died needlessly in an awful accident. But I do have a few questions. Nobody heard them when they searched the interior of the car? Why was the broken car setting in the yard with the trunk open? If I had a refrigerator I would secure the door just for that reason. If it had been open wouldn’t it trigger something if it were then found closed? Why did the family wait 3 plus hours to call the police and then claim the police weren’t thorough enough to realize they were in the trunk? Yes the Police should investigate the whole response thing. But also, investigate the family too. Could someone wanted to get rid of the kids, trick them into hiding in the trunk as part of the game, give them 3 hours to succumb and them find them 2 days later. Perfect Crime? I am sorry but I do get a bit paranoid after the mountain of evidence that parents or close family commit most of the child murders / abductions. I won’t give the list but I believe you could count on two hands the recent cases.

*****

I love it today as Carter’s National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, commented of how bad Bush has conducted the Iraqi war. He and Carter did the most to tear down the Military when Carter was in office. Ziggy would rather hide than face facts, or has he grown up?

To our troops my prayers and unwavering support, I occasionally wish I could un-retire and go help them, but alas, I am a dinosaur from another era and accept my role as a prayer supporter.

PS: to all my close friends and associates, I got a new cell phone with my old number, but sadly, they discontinued my account with the old phone and then restarted it thus losing all my stored phone numbers. So if I don’t call you, it isn’t that I am mad or don’t want too but that I don’t have a number to call you. Call me.

Daily Thoughts - V

For most countries of the world getting a new dictator would mean losing all you own. Only in America, can it be legislatively or judicially taken away. Who needs a dictator, all we need is a congressman, senator or judge to take what we prize and work our life for. Under this law, what is next?

• All Churchs, especially those who are tax-exempt, are removed since a shopping center or condo will generate more tax revenue and getting money is paramount to local governments.
• Any Radio or TV station that doesn't tread the "acceptable way"? A good grocery store would serve us better.
• What of any non-profit organization that didn't toe the line? Put a mall there and get some benefit from their space.
• What of any business that posed a problem for a larger competitor? Microsoft forces out AOL to but up a bigger Microsoft Headquarters and offer more tax revenue than AOL does. Wal-Mart vs mom-pop store. Major Oil vs local gas station.
  
• What of all our parks? Put a business there. It will generate more tax income. The kids can go home to play. Ooops, that is right, their home was removed last week.
  

While we could focus on the American Citizen and their home, the implications of this law goes far beyond that. What does the legislature or Judicial have to worry about. They take our home to generate more money because they made a law that took our weapons away and ensured we couldn't defend it. Next they will decide who is the real "American Citizen" and pass a law to implement it.

Part of their argument was that the current law forced them to use "blighted areas" and thus hurt the poor. So, as I see it, destroy the dream of the working class to erect all these tax-generating endeavours and leave the "blighted areas" alone so that they can remain an eyesore to the inner-city.

Well, we continue to see protect the poor, screw the workers all so that the rich can maintain a life style. You try and take the rich man's home, the army of lawyers will stop that. But the poor worker can only muster a public defender whose salary depends on the tax money that is generated by taking the workers home. So who wins?

When are the laws of this land going to be decided by the "American Citizen" and not some "Appointed" Judge? If the American people vote and the majority decides for a law, then who gives that "appointed" judge the right to throw it out? They may review it and bring it to the people's attention that it isn't fair and equitable but ultimately, the people decide through free and open elections how they are to be governed. Then the "appointed" judge applies that law and helps the police who enforce the law. This is what I think is called "The Will of the People".

Excuse me, I got wrapped up and forgot. It really is "The will of the Judge" and the "whim of a Congressman or Senator". Like I said earlier, Who needs a Dictator, all we need is a Congressman, Senator or Judge to take what we prize and work our life for because what we want doesn't matter, especially to them.

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

I disagree with what happened in Mississippi. I know some will argue with me but I can still say it is wrong.

How did a jury split 6-6, over night and after only 2-3 hours the next morning become unanimous? They were split just like the first trial. Who changed their minds to make it so obvious?

The judge said age or whether the defendent was living or dead .. the law must be served. Ok, why wasn't there others charged and sentenced even if they were dead already? This man was one member of a group ... do we now charge and sentence one man for the sins of others. I vaguely recall that happened 2000 years ago. This smacks of judically sponsored reverse racism to make a group of people feel better. The same group who harbored revenge and hate for the perpetrator for 41 years all the while they sat piously in their church pew pretending to be a christian full of love and forgiveness.

Why not go after the U.S Congress now. They publically apologized for allowing all the lynchings by not taking action when they should. They have said by their own words they were an accomplice to the racism of that time. Under the law, if you aid or abet someone in the act of a crime, you are guilty too. So sentence the Congress to prison for being an accomplice to the racism of the 60's and 70's. You have sentenced that old man because he was an accomplice or aided in the murders. Smells like crap .. it must be crap.

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

Looks like a little Father and Son action in Aruba. Could it be a little "Danish Roll"?

Daily Thoughts - IV

Hmmmm ....


Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me
videre?


Which Weird Latin Phrase Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Daily Thoughts - III

Am I having fun? .... Ha ha ha ha!

I guess since the nights are now getting shorter, I had better start making more efficient use of the time I am there.

My name using Egyptian Hieroglyphs!

Try your name

Script by

Daily Thoughts - II

I love how times change the way our leaders react. When 9-11 happened the president said we would hunt them down no matter where they would hide. Furthermore any country harboring or aiding the terrorist would be subject to retaliation. Well, guess what, someone (CIA) says we know where Bin laden is but because of their national sovereignty we won’t get him. Well, what happened to those bold statements from 2001? Sounds like someone has a bigger mouth than their balls.

Father’s day was nice. It was a quiet day filled with food, TV and bowling. The father/ Son banquet was also great since both of my boys went. And we managed to do some damage to the BBQ, Cole slaw, and potato salad. The games were so-so but it only lasted a short time. The golf was great because Tiger lost and a mere mortal beat him.

I am saddened that another scout has been lost in the same area as another one was. Isn’t someone at the local BSA headquarters watching? Obviously, that area has some inherent problems that make it easy to become lost. When the troop fills out the permit for the trip, why isn’t it scrutinized a little more as to precautions that are being taken based on the areas history?

I see we are still prosecuting criminal cases some 40+ years after the fact. I was always brought up that there was a statue of limitations. From the looks of it, you can be hounded even after you are dead. Perhaps, people are still looking for a free handout; sue someone to make your retirement life better. Who needs a 401K; one lawsuit and you are set for life. There you go Bush, revamp Social Security to allow one major lawsuit as your retirement plan. Everyone gets rich and the Government is taken off the hook. Kind of like the Terry Schiavo’s family. Dig up the mud and reopen the investigation from some 15 years ago. Let’s ruin everyone’s life now. They want closure, no way; they had it when they buried their daughter. What they want now is vengeance, the chance to cause pain and hurt to anyone involved. I can see it now, sitting in church trying to act so pious and innocent, all the while plotting and scheming what their next vindictive action is. What is sad are the State Officials that are abetting them, all for political gain at the polls.

Next week, I shall be heading for Florida for a few days to fix my parents computers. So I shall be out of pocket and trust all the children to play fair and don’t fight.

Guess, I best run and get my self ready for the Summer Solstice. All them earthy people going crazy and keeping me up all night. Litha? Hmmmm.

Things are changing in Dark Towers. After much thought, several changes will occur. As usual I expect some to belly ache and complain. But simply put in PG terms, “mind your own business and leave us alone.”

Daily Thoughts - 1

Well, the temperature goes up and the schools get out. I can’t even remember getting out of school because it was “too hot.” All we did was limit our exposure outside and remained inside in the shade. But then again most school kids are out of shape and overweight according to the experts so that would explain why we should pamper them even more than they are on a daily basis.

Well, whether I like it or not Michael Jackson is free to ply his lifestyle. He is innocent of the molestation charges even though he admitted he liked sleeping with young boys and now his lawyer says MJ will no longer allow young boys into his bed. Gee, it seems they are saying something is not right. Oh well, perhaps the Catholic Priests need to get the lawyer’s cell number to help them get out of their predicament.

I love where the jury said their first task was to deal with the celebrity status and deal with MJ as a common person. Hogwash. I have a close friend who faced the same allegations and it was his word versus the child’s word with no other witnesses. My friend could only afford a public defender. The judge stated that the court had an overriding responsibility to protect the innocence of the child so more leverage was attributed to the child’s words. As a result, my friend went to prison. If this same standard was applied to MJ he would not returned to Neverland last night. In California, stars are never guilty. Right, Michael, OJ and Robert? On a side note about my friend, 4 years later the child admitted he lied because he didn’t get his way (he wanted to drive the new car instead of his old car to which my friend said no) and wanted to hurt my friend. The Public Defender said no to doing anything to clear my friend’s record. So where does he get the money to clear his name since he isn’t a celebrity?

At first I thought I was done taking time off this summer but now I find out I am a must use situation with my leave and sick time. So, reluctantly, smiling all the time, I will take another week off the end of this month and probably another week in late august. Then I can start working on my comp time which is still over 150 hours. I will later this month go to my parents house in Florida and upgrade their computers and eat some fresh seafood.

With Father's day fast approaching, I may get to have both sons go to the dinner sponsored by my church. That hasn't happened in a long time for many reasons. I hope the building doesn't collapse or something like that.

It was nice last night to have my RP partner join in the fun. It has been a while and each time is special and time filled with memories. A simple reminder is that our characters are still developing and sometime things are simpler than they look, it is the smoke and mirrors that obscure the truth.

Quick Thought

Rather than muddying up the Blog site with pieces of my stories, I have moved these stories to my regular website and the address.

http://knight.blackhawke.net/Camelot/Stories/Wandering/index.html

Please feel free to read them.

More thoughts - A little slower in Happening

Things I forgot when I posted the last Blog. It is nice to be home finally and to get to sort through some 4000 emails, answer all the phone messages, settle a half dozen petty squabbles, and figure out how much longer I can delay cutting the jungle in the front yard. Gee! I love vacations. Perhaps I should spend more time trying to decide the question – Mary Ann or Ginger?

One thing nice this past week was listening to all the memories and stories of my wife’s family history. It did bring a lot of my own personal memories of my own family up. This past week I came to realize how quickly a hyperactive 5 year old could get under the skin. I am now thankful all mine grew up when I was younger.

I would make a comment on the current events in the news, but I have sat down yet to watch any. Well, I did see the California white van thing for a moment. My take, if he wants to point two guns to his head an threaten to blow it off, and if no one else will get hurt if he does, then let the IDIOT blow his brains out, he will be the one to miss the rest of his life and any of the good things it brings.

For My Role-Playing Friends:

The Duke cornered his wife in the dining room following their evening meal. “M’Lady, please reconsider and tell them of your lineage.” He implored her. The Lady lost her cool, for months now they had pressured her. “If I hear that request one more time, I will take my daughter and leave for a place that won’t bug us. If you had any God-given sense you would recognize her birthmark and know why I must be silent!” Slowly her anger subsided. The Duke sat there silent as his mind raced to recall what birthmark she spoke of. Though he was dying to have his memory refreshed, he bit his tongue lest she leave as she threatened.

Two men sat talking in a secluded booth at the nearby local pub. “In three days we will know if the child is really who we think she is. This I promise. If she is, then she will die before the new moon rises.” The second man looked from beneath his cloak hood. “ok, but if you fail before the new moon sets on the first night, you will be spread across this land for the wolves to eat.”

Where has Spring Sprung?

Sorry for the silence the last few weeks. Many things have been going on and I just didn’t feel like writing if I couldn’t give it the time I felt it deserved.

May 20-23 was spent at State Bowling Tournament with my son. We both didn’t do as well as we wanted too but we had no reason to hang our head. I really enjoyed the time with my son wishing we could somehow do it more. Only now I realize the wasted times in the first 18 years of his life and what could have been. I shall not make the same mistake twice.

This week an old friend announced she is moving back home after many years away from it. It is almost like losing a child. After helping her rebuild her life as an abused spouse, I sometimes wish I could have done more but help can only be given as it is wanted and needed. I wish her the best and all happiness as she goes into the next phase of her life.

May 23-25 was spent in the mountains at a very secluded cabin. Perched beside the river our deck touched the river bank. A large Jacuzzi sat on that deck allowing us to soak while watching the river flow by. Add the fresh caught grilled rainbow trout and you get very near heaven. All in all it was a very quiet and nice few days.

June 1 – 6 was spent in Indiana for my nieces wedding and my In-laws 50^th anniversary. She is the oldest of the grand-daughters and chose their anniversary as her wedding date. The interesting thing is that everyone is pouring through all of the boxes of old pictures that my mother-in-law has. We shared a lot of laughs and snickers as we looked at pictures of people from 25-30 years ago. Pictures of kids now grown but forever captured as a toddler. Gee, was I ever that thin or have that much hair?

This past year has been rather frustrating when it comes to bowling. My average slipped and I began to wonder if age was finally catching up. Making a few changes didn’t help either this year as I watched my average slip some 15 pins. So I made some equipment changes and style changes to try and regain the old form. But Memorial weekend it all clicked and I saw the old form return and I was able to devastate the pins with nearly a 235 average for the whole weekend (9 games). Now I am excited for the regular season and tournament season to return.

The oldest son got rear ended the other week. I was surprised when he declined to file a complaint against the young lady. All he wanted was his car fixed. As he said, “she suffered enough having to fix both cars. Especially since her car had just came out of the shop earlier that week.”

Work Scene: Just hired a new assistant. For now it is nice having three of us but a hard choice will have to be made when the second person completes workman’s comp. As usual they gave me help but added two new projects for this summer. Oh, well. The only way to get out of this circle is to retire. Not yet but soon, sooner than they think.

To my Brothers in Arms in all services, I salute you and I say a silent prayer for all of them that gave their life that I might be free.

In the News:

Jackson: Let’s get it over with. He is guilty but will walk free because of who he is. The really sad part is that he will flee to Europe to live where the laws are not so clear and there is a ready pool of orphaned children from the conflicts in Eastern Europe. Orphans mean no parents to blow the whistle on his perverse life style.

I see where there is a new push for more media – source confidentiality following the Deep Throat revelations. Have we already forgotten the repercussions of the Washington Post fiasco or Dan Rather source problems? What we need is more integrity and accountability from media and their sources. Instead of “I am sorry” there should be some punishment for their actions. If I as Joe Q. Public did this I would be prosecuted or at a minimum sued.

Let’s quit making Deep Throat a hero. I am tired of the coverage for some one who in reality was a disgruntled employee who threw a tantrum because he didn’t get the job he wanted. The anonymity given him allowed him to retire and live off the government he so despised. Talk about being two-faced. Could we allow anonymous sources, but their identity is sealed by a Grand Jury for 10 years?

On the way home, I was standing in that proverbial never moving line at the security check-in at the airport. The TSA person walks bay and says “Sir, shoes and belt need to come off before going through the metal detector.” So I complied. The four kids in front of me started to remove theirs as any well-mannered kid would. The TSA person stops and replies, “Oh, you kids don’t need to remove your shoes, only adults!” Excuse me, but how many bombers have small children? This same tactic messed us up in Vietnam because of our belief children can’t be combatants. The terrorist profile would show the kids would be a higher probability than an old man. Come on, TSA, get the job done right.

For My Role-Play friends:

The Duke sat there as the Barrister implored him to force his wife to reveal her complete lineage. He knew why it must be done but he didn’t like it. He knows the Duchess is extremely protective of her early years and the true identity of her father. Finally he gave in to the Barrister’s pressing. “I will get the information.” As his eyes swept the room as if he was searching for a way to do it.

Not far away, the Duchess sat there brushing her daughter’s hair. The girl rested with her head on her mother’s lap. “Mother, who was my grandfather? It seems everyone is asking about him. Why won’t you tell us?” “Well, my princess, he as a great man and because of that many people was jealous and would like to hurt his family. I couldn’t bear to think of you being hurt.” With a wry smile breaking across her face, “besides, if grandfather heard that you were hurt, he would ride here and take revenge like they have never seen.” That caused the young girl to lurch up, “Really? He would come and rescue me?” The Duchess smiled. “Just as fast as his horse could run, you are the one person he cherishes above life itself.” And with that the princess leaped up and ran off with thoughts of a white knight saving her.

Unbelievable

This weekend was a quiet one. Both the Youth-Adult league and Sunday Night Adult league had their payoffs and awards. 1st of 10 and 7th of 16, not a bad result. The only problem with weekends is that it isn't long enough. I need at least 2 more days. But the dinner at El Agave was great as usual. I never leave there hungry .. usually I am stuffed.

Media – This is getting really sad to what levels the media has stooped too. They are in such a rush to beat the other New Services to get out a sensational story that they go half-baked with the story. I am referring to the story dealing with the Koran. CBS and Rather did it with the Bush story and the list goes on and on. Now, they say “they are sorry for not getting the facts right.” EXCUSE ME, 15 people died because of your sloppy and inaccurate reporting as you rushed to be first. What is needed is that the officials who approved this story be charged with a crime. If I incite a riot or some group to commit a crime then I am just as guilty. Perhaps negligent Homicide is a good place to start. Where is your integrity News Services to provide timely and factual news? Truth in reporting should be paramount to making a lousy dollar at the expense of innocent people. I am very disappointed and a bit pissed at your callousness and greed.

I also love how the media within an hour of last night's final episode of Survivor was stirring up crap that "did the jury select the wrong winner?" Come on, it was 6-1 for Tom and besides, the jury was required to pick the winner, they did, so there is no reason to question them. Go find a better topic to report ... like lying about something or not researching a story completely.

Recruiters - Shame on you that you resorted to these low handed tactics. What happened to your pride? I do understand that the Services put extrordinary pressure on you to meet a quota but honor and integrity demand you resist that and not lower yourself. Recruiters have always been the butt of some jokes as to their underhanded tactics .. what was a joke has become reality thanks to you.

Thoughts during a moment of weakness

The Work Scene: All is going ok. I now have the authority to find and hire a new assistant engineer. So perhaps things will return to some level of normality. Though, they did add two new studio build outs and one upgrade project. Oh well, I guess I like the work since I am still here.

Next weekend (21-25) is the State Bowling Tournament followed by a quiet retreat to a mountain cabin for a long and quiet weekend with the wife.

Delta – What makes anyone’s retirement safe now that the company can drop it for financial reasons. What is sad is that the Military retirement system has been doing this for years. Our benefits have been taken away or lessened because the budget got cut. It was bad enough when a company folded and your pension disappeared but now they can just take it, pay the big bonus’s to its executives and plod on losing money. What is going on with the pensions makes me consider the merits of the private social security accounts. Let me control my future and make the changes but don’t lock me out with no say as someone else takes the money to pay for their mismanagement while paying their ungodly bonus.

Rehabilitation: Lately the rash of ex-cons killing people after their release cries for prison reform. Why can’t we just accept the fact some people can not be rehabilitated. Leading this group are the child abusers. Get the bleeding heart liberal lawyers out of the process. Perhaps we need a law change. For example: Any lawyer directly involved in the early release or termination of a court-ordered prison sentence is just as liable as the convict is if they (the convict) commit a crime after their early release. If the Convict serves their full court ordered sentence then the lawyer is relieved of that responsibility. I bet some lawyers would take a second look at what they are doing unless they believe their fee for services exceeded the pain of being in prisoner.

Nomination for the Darwin award: The two pilots in yesterday’s incident in Washington, D.C.

For my Role Playing friends:

The Duke sat there looking at his wife. She was busily sewing something but he couldn’t make hide nor hair of what it was. Finally the silence broke as he asked her a question. “M’Lady, please reconsider the request to lay out your lineage. I could order you but I would rather not go that far.” The Duchess looked up. “Which tower should I go and stay in for the answer remains no! I promised my father and I intend to keep that promise no matter what.” The Duke sighed for now he had a dilemma. Scratching his head he grasped for a straw. “Is there any way, maybe give them enough to work with but withholding the critical items?” Her eyes said plenty. A few moments later she gathered up her sewing items and stormed from the room.

Tidbits of Nonsense

All is well in Virginia. I have even been able to role-play with my friends on a more frequent basis. Maybe the work load has changed enough to allow me to return to a more regular life.

Did the State Police read my blog from 04/10/05? Yesterday, for the first time in over a year the State Police were actively cracking down on HOV violators. Six cruisers in a 3 mile stretch on I-66 had people pulled over. Thanks State Police!

Can you believe? In his news conference last Thursday night the President stated that there would be close scrutiny for price gouging in the Oil Industry in light of the record high gas prices. Well, the search doesn’t have to go far after Exxon Mobile announced a $25.33 Billion profit in 2004. I believe companies should make a profit but not at the price of gouging the people that have no alternative or their livelihood depend on their use of the product. I would go, as far to say all the oil companies will be posting mega profits at a time they cry about no crude oil. Releasing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve only adds to that profit margin.

Why not tax the Oil companies, take about 50% of that profit and use it to fix the Social Security program or subsidize the Medicare program? But don’t give them any more tax breaks to further increase their profits. The sad part is that most of the profit will go to a handful of executives who already are having trouble spending last year’s bonus.

What is next? It seems now the defense of the soldier that participated in the Iraqi prison scandal is one of “she has extreme learning difficulties.” Talk about shifting the blame to anything but her. I am curious on how she made it through the whole military screening process without manifesting it somehow? How did she complete basic training? How did she complete any advanced training? Was she just passed through like the public schools? Is the military training so easy that anyone no matter their handicap can get through? What I suspect is say anything, do anything to get out of accepting the fact you abused prisoners. Come on soldier, stand up and accept the fact you screwed up and take the punishment.

The runaway bride should face the music. If anyone else would have made a false claim to the police or 911 they would get punished. So if you would punish a child for making a false 911 calls then punish this ADULT. I know from personal experience that just giving a wrong name to the police officer results in an Identity Theft charge. So making a false claim for kidnapping should be treated the same. Oh, on a side note. Thanks media for blowing something up so much you created a media event to highlight a runaway and her lies. It saddens me to see mainstream media stoop to the tabloid level in order to get a better rating than another news source. Come on, have some integrity and become a news source and not a tabloid.

For my Role-play friends:

The Duchess sat there reading an old ancient text. Its dusty pages crackled every time she moved one. Her eyes raised from the odd looking characters on the stained page as a barrister entered the room. "M'Lady, I must implore you to give me the information so that I can complete the heraldry register." The Duchess quickly replied, "I said no." The barrister frowned, "but you must do that so the officials can verify your lineage. The King is sick and given certain circumstances, you husband can sit on the throne. But if your lineage isn't established then you can't become Queen .. just the Duchess." The Duchess looked the man in the eyes, "NO!" Her demeanor quickly changed as the young girl rounded the corner of the doorway more in a skid than a lady-like manner of walking. With the appearance of the young girl, the barrister realized his attempts would fall on the deaf ears of the Duchess. "M'ladies" as he bowed and exited the room.

Life Continues

Life continues as summer approaches. I ate at a Red Robin restaurant yesterday and enjoyed it. The A-1 peppercorn hamburger was a monster and I was stuffed. Can’t do to many days like that or I won’t fit through the front door. After I ate and experienced the stuff tummy syndrome, I sat outside in the warm sunshine and plotted new ways to drive my role-play partner crazy with new story-lines. Do I feel bad – hmmmm – nope!

You really have to wonder where society is heading too. Take the 5 year old in Florida. When the school administrator decided she couldn’t handle the child, she called the parent who basically said she didn’t have time to come and deal with the child. The school security took a hands-off stance so the Police were called and now they are being harassed for how they handled it. Now Tennessee is doing their anti-bullying law for school children. Next we will see an “I don’t like my Teacher” law. The Judge will decide in open court if there is a problem between the Teacher and the kid. If the parents won’t discipline their children for fear of repercussions, School Administrators live in fear of lawsuits if they discipline a child and now the police are being sued for doing their job. Who will disciple this generation? Will we wind up with a bunch of wild, do-as-they-please, and no consequences for their actions children? Will a whole new group of laws be establish so that if you cause trouble at school you wind up in court while the lawyers argue the merits of the case. Will Lawyers become the disciplinarians of society as they decide what is a court issue and what is not worth their time and money? We have come a long way from where parents, school officials, and authoritarian figures could discipline a child within preset guidelines. It almost reaches the level that children decide if their actions warrant discipline and how it will be administered.

The Michael Jackson case still is a media circus where the Pedophile’s criminal action isn’t being questioned but the integrity and motives of the accusers. Lost in this three ring circus is the question – did he do it? So far the answer appears he did but because they make the accusers look less than upright he will walk free to do it again. Like several authorities said on talk radio -- pedophiles never change or rehabilitate, all they do is wait for a new victim whether it is 1 day or 10 years from now. I am saddened that the children are the ones being exploited as we focus of the Pedophile to insure his rights are in no way violated.

I love it. Ten buffalo roaming in Maryland. Now they say they must figure out where they came from. Well, duh, they have yellow tags in their ears, so someone owns them and takes care of them. If that is too hard, then shoot them, skin them and give the meat and furs to the homeless.

Contemplations

I wonder at times if we have brought on our current woes because we as adults have failed to be the adult we should have been. When children start killing other children perhaps we adults have failed to show them the value of life. When preschoolers go on a rampage tearing things up only to be restrained by police – where have we sunk too? I am sorry the 5-year old had to be restrained, but weren’t they destroying property and acting in an out-of-control manner? It use to be neighbors would talk out differences but now you get a visit by the police investigating a complaint that some paper had blown into their yard. People calling the police not because the dog crapped in their yard but because the owner of the dog picked the pile up in a bag and deposited it in their trash can. I would personally like to thank the dog owners for being so nice and civic-minded.

What is wrong with us people? It is going to get worse as the population grows and we get ever more crowded. We need to start learning to be reasonable and communicating with others not by bullets and lawsuits but by talking and equitably resolving these little issues between us. I am amazed how quickly we have changed from just when I was a child. At this rate, I fear I will die a lonely man in a house that resembles a maximum-security vault to keep others from robbing and killing a defenseless old man.

Home intrusion is another example. Use to be you could leave your doors unlocked and windows open when you stepped out from the house. But now it has escalated to the point they will come during the day whether you are home or not. Perhaps NRA is right, we need to be prepared to defend our selves. I don’t like the thought of shooting someone, but I must protect my home and family. So it is time to go and by my semi-automatic gun with 10,000 rounds. This way, I have held them off until they get tired or the police show up.

My Role Playing Friends:

The masked figure sat in the edge of the forest watching the big man sharpen his axe. “So this is my target,” he thought. “One clean arrow would do this job quickly. But he didn’t have the OK to do it yet. There was something about all the pieces must be in place first.” Shifting slightly he continued to watch the man work. “So he came from an important family and was known for his skill as a fighter and leader. Right now he was just a large target no more smarter than a bale of hay before you launched an arrow into it.” The masked man moved back deeper into the woods as he prepared to make camp a few miles away. “I sure hope they give the word soon! I hear there is a band of gypsy’s passing by and that would liven any evening and bed up.”

Where have all the good role-players gone? Have they migrated to another world and started over or have they just given up? Perhaps, I should just put on my walk-about shoes and hunt them down. I sometimes feel like a large goatskin bag just swelling at the sides. Ready to role-play but can’t. From what I have seen, in most channels it is mostly role chatting. In some cases there was a bit of playing, but it seemed so shallow. No one was putting himself or herself into it in order to make their character come alive and seem as real as them. Oh well, perhaps that is why I dream .. I dream of a fantasy world that can’t exist.

Time to go to my favorite eating place --- El Agave.

Wednesday Thoughts

It is raining today so I thought I would take a few moments to jot a few things down.

Work – Should ease up a bit since that pain in the butt project is being handed over to a new engineer they just hired. Now I can go back to a 12-hour day. It is funny how as soon as that project was moved, everyone else started yapping for his or her stuff to be done first. Well, “as are the sands in an hour glass, so are the days of our lives.”

Just saw last night where a house a block away from me closed at $425,000 and it is smaller than mine. Almost like playing poker, how long do you play the hand before you fold and take your winnings?

Starting to figure out when I can make another Florida run. My mom wants a new computer and wants me to build it and set it up. So another weekend needs to be booked as soon as I can figure out when. Just bought plane tickets from Washington DC to Indianapolis for $39 one-way. With gas prices where they are, you can’t beat that.

My Role-play friends:

A young girl walked through the field as her dog chased every bug in sight. The rustle of her skirts blended in with the wind and trees. The escorts were well back from her as they allowed her the freedom to play, as she wanted too but the eye of her governess twitched like an eagle. However, someone else was there watching from a hidden spot in the marshy area to the south. The man’s eyes squinted through the light cloth over his head. His body ached from the chill of the muddy water that covered him, as he lay low in the marsh grass. His plan was to quietly draw the dog to him and so the child would follow. Once in range, a few well-placed crossbow bolts would eliminate the guards and governess thus leaving the child alone. “When,” became the question? How long will he have to wait for the sign to grab the child? These hours laying here watching and planning things out allowed him to dwell on many things. “Why this child?” “What was her importance?” “Whom was she the bait for?” “Could I get more gold if I did this myself?” Finally the man gave up and returned his thoughts to watching the child and her dog.

“Mistress,” the guard called out. “It is time to return home, your uncle wants you back before dark.” The child nodded and took her own sweet time making her way to the awaiting horses and guards.

The value of a life crossed my mind last night as a close friend of mine lost his brother in law. It seems the man got drunk, took his brothers van without permission and proceeded to lose control on a curve and kill himself while destroying the van. Luckily, no one else was involved. But he is gone. Someone who never really did anything in his 35 years but get drunk, borrow money and waste it on frivolous things. He was as close to penniless as I have ever known anyone. The family, poor themselves, is desperately trying to figure out how to bury him. No insurance, no money in the bank and it costs $1400 to bury him and they can’t even afford $100 each to do that. What potential was locked away in him that was never allowed to escape for whatever reason? What could we have done to change his destiny or could we? A twinge of sadness for what could have been but wasn’t.

Habemus Papem!

Congrats to the new Pope and may success follow your every step of the way. Barely 8 hours and the media are already trying to second-guess everything the man does. One supposed scholar from Catholic University is already thinking of a doomsday scenario between the Vatican and the American Church. He has barely had his first dinner as Pope, give him a chance to settle in or is your agenda so weak that pressure is the only tact you have?

Looks like Tom Delay is trying the old “offense is the best defense” tactic. Attack everyone, dirty the air with innuendos and accusations and maybe something will stick that will get his own butt out of the fire or at least out of the spotlight. Without Schiavo, Jackson, a Tsunami and John Paul to deflect the attention, he is finding that it is tough in that spotlight once again.

Work was fine today, quiet and without much happening. I even managed to get a few things done in preparation for a large project that starts next week. I will be doing a software upgrade of the newsroom software. My end is relatively easy but the news people must learn a whole new system and that should prove fun. For some fun I started a list today of all the tasks that need to be done by the end of June and quit after it reached 45 items. Too depressing.

For my role-play friends:<>

After the door shut and a regular patron staggered in, the first man realizing no danger was near leaned in, his breath reeking of rum. “Do you know where he is, the boy, I mean? The other man a bit taken back at his friends odor, took a deep breath and replied, “yes and my man never loses sight of him!” “Wow, and they said he was hidden and well protected. A spy, your man, I mean?” “Shush man, lest we be overheard, but yes, the best kind of spy!” With that said the second man leans back more to get some fresh air than to disengage his curious friend.

I sometimes wonder where the role-play is going. It seems that now days it is shallow and based more on real life emotions rather than your dreams. Is role-play going away as did the Citizens Band (CB) Radio? A short burst on the horizon of IRC and then into oblivion? It appears that virtual games have replaced the mind as the spawning ground of ideas and adventure. I remember a time when my Calvary was a double line of dominos and their rank was by their dots. Buildings were blocks of 2x4s from the local construction site. Gold was the slugs the electricians left after wiring out the new house. Computers and IRC gave us the chance to enlarge our sand pile across the globe. Our mind’s limit was only bounded by our ability to expand it. But, alas now, we have all became gods and drama queens and those simple pleasures of an afternoon questing to save a small village or some hapless human being have faded. Are we relegated to watching TV reruns of medieval stories? Is there a way that a few dedicated and hungry for action Rpers to get together, throw aside their egos and re-enter the world of fantasy and relive the dreams of Knights, Lady’s and Chivalry? I lay aside my weapons and dream of the call to action.

Well, work intrudes on my reflections as the clock draws closer to the time the alarm goes off, 3:30 am.

April Showers

<>Not much has changed this week, here in the land of lovers.

Every day I think of an easier time. One that has no time and no routines. The only requirement is that I have fun without having to work at it. And boy does it become easier to dream of it, tick – tick – tick.

The youth league team I am on clinched the championship with one week to go. Michaela was a jewel as she raised her average from 92 to 131. I love it when they are at the age to listen and have a desire to learn. I was really proud when she threw a 199 two weeks ago. Tapped by a 10 pin to hold her back from her first 200 game. I also smile because I only managed 204 that game and almost got buried by her.

Work is the same. Long! It seems about the time I am ready to leave at 9:30 am, the phone goes crazy and everyone wants something or wants a meeting if I have a few minutes. Needless to say, I stumble around till 1:00 pm and then leave. The fuse gets shorter everyday. If my computer business continues to grow, I might just take a dive and see how the water is. Meanwhile, I sit waiting like a cobra .. Ready to strike.<>

To my role-play friends:

Two men, hidden in the shadows of the small pub, speak softly lest they be overheard. “He has returned, don’t ask me how but you must once and for all put an end to his life!” The man nearest the door exclaimed in a gruff voice. The other man nodded, “Then I shall and his son will be the bait only neither will walk away this time.” They both looked around, hands lightly on their sword hilts.

<>* * * *

I continue to be amazed at this rash of child abusers that seem to garner such sympathy. "They might get rehabilitated." "They have rights and deserve a chance." Arghhh, and what about that child that is being buried - no one gave a flip about them and what their young life meant. I vote that every convicted child abuser be sent to Alcatraz or some desolate island to spend the rest of their natural life. NO death - but NO parole. Some things can be changed or helped to change. But some predators can't - "you can't remove a tigers stripes, no matter how much you rub and wish." If the ACLU doesn't like this - you are free to join them on their island. Oh! Take Michael Jackson with you, he likes to share his bed. <>

Well, the Pope lottery is on. Place your vote on which it will be. The media is so starved for news after Shiavo; they now want to do polls on the next Pope. If they want to be so much an "investigative reporter" pick a meaningful topic such as:

• How much is the Major Oil Companies gouging us and whom are they paying to let that happen?
• Why can the Insurance companies in Florida rip of their clients and no one say a hoot about it?
• Is there even one (1) honest and virtuous Congressman?
• What is happening in the Tsunami ravaged areas? You collected our money and now I don't even see how it is getting spent and the good it is doing.

<>But you see that requires work and a long effort to get at the bottom of things. It is more fun to chase the figurative ambulance than to follow the dozer into the mud.

To all those brave police officers and fireman, thanks for what you do every day.

A Little Update

Well, I shall try and post this again. I had it all written out and then the computer had a brain fart and shutdown losing everything I had done. Perhaps this time it will go well.

The tournament went well and though I didn’t get rich or win it, I at least broke even with the side pots. Plus I didn’t come in last in our group of 10 bowlers. So time to look forward to next year and Corpus Christie. That should be another fun one to turn into a mini-vacation. Virginia State Tournament comes up later in May, so maybe I can do some good there. Ever Vigilant and hoping.

Dad is doing fine though he is mighty week. The pneumonia really took it out of him and the surgery has slowed him down. But he is ornery and given some time he will be his feisty self once again.

The youngest had his first interview at Chick-fil-A and he goes back for a second interview later this week and our fingers are crossed. Will be nice to see him do something a little more constructive with his life than video games and music.

Well, time marches on and so does life. I wish I could say work at the newsroom is fun but since mid-February, it has been a real pain. So last week I told them if something doesn’t give this week, I walk. So time will tell. I will not be surprised if they do nothing just to see my resolve. Well, they will be in for a shock. Do I have anything lined up if I walk? No, but several nibbles could make it interesting. But worse case, we sell the house, move to Florida and retire 3 years early. So I see a win-win situation no matter what happens.

This weekend I watched a Camelot movie for the umpteenth time and probably shouldn’t have. It brought back too much pain about the Camelot I loved and spent so many years in. To see it now doesn’t help matters.

Hang on Dark Towers, I will return and we will get that place lit up and rockin. Who knows, I might even get to write once again. A special thanks to all those who have keep some semblance of life going on there. From what I see in the channels now, the real role players should unite and get things rolling again or the chat monster will take over and many a dream will die from inactivity.

Picture this; it is Thursday afternoon on I-66 where the leftmost lane is HOV-2 until 7 p.m. I am riding along doing the usual brake light dance. To my left three cars pass me with only one person in them. Following them is a State Trooper doing who knows what but definitely not watching traffic. Behind the trooper are 2 more cars with only one person. Why have HOV if they don’t enforce it. This sucks if the State Police are too ignorant to know the law and then make some attempt to enforce it. This is a perfect example why the A-Types here blow off most traffic laws. No one does the speed limit because they usually are 10-15 over. Why? They know the troopers don’t stop you for that. The A-Types run red lights pass on the right using the merge lane and dive across 3 lanes to make an exit from the HOV lanes. But until the Troopers make it painful, driving in the nation’s capital will suck. Maybe we sent all the good ones to California so they could write tickets out there!

Good-bye, John Paul II, your were a good man though I didn’t subscribe to all you preached. Maybe Benny Hen could follow your example of humility and sell his 10 million dollar house to help the needy and poor like the money was originally donated for.

Michael Jackson continues to show us how much a predator he is. Yes, all those witnesses may have a grudge, but they paint a picture of someone with a real problem.

Getting Caught Up

Well, the vacation is over. I had a great time and wish it had lasted longer. But reality crept back in and work is already picking at me. Boy, is the fuse getting shorter - and I haven’t even been back into the office yet!

• My dad did fine in his recall/replacement surgery. The more I look at it the more it convinces me that the old defibrillator was bad from the moment they first installed it 4 years ago.

• Can you believe that FEMA is demanding their money back for their errors after a third review of a person’s application? Yes, restitution should be made but at least be considerate and work with the people. How can someone repay the $12,000 you gave them within 30 days or incur penalties and interest, when the Insurance Company has been dragging their feet for 6 months? They are struggling just to live and pay a mortgage on a totally destroyed house. Go after the Insurance company, those are the real crooks. The new twist is claiming the water damage was caused by the high surge of water - Thus the Hurricane didn’t directly cause the damage and therefore isn’t covered. Will we start not covering fires? The fire may destroy some of the house. But anything not burned and that is damaged as the result of the water and the firemen’s attempt to stop the fire aren’t! So FEMA, forget the Red Tape for the time being and help the people in Florida some. Oh that is right, Congress is too involved in violating state’s rights and personal issues of the citizens to do their job.

• I was appalled at seeing how much damage still needs to be fixed, even after 6 months. There is more work than workmen available to do the job. And can you believe this, the local companies want to change the law and cancel all temporary licenses of companies that have come down to Florida to help. Talk about being greedy! From all I spoke with it’s the local companies that are the worse offenders of doing shoddy work, taking deposits and never showing up, or promising work and then backing out.

• I wish the rhetoric over Terry Schiavo would die down but I am afraid these two warring camps will continue until someone feels they have won.

• It is getting to the point you can’t trust the press to report the true facts of the case and leave personal or network bias out. Once again this morning I watched them evaluate some new video of the lady and draw conclusions to support their fight for her life. Excuse me, BUT THE PICTURES WERE THREE (3) YEARS OLD! Maybe three years ago you would have had a valid point, but not now. Show me picture from the last two weeks! They would be more supportive of the point of the matter. I have a funny feeling down inside that the new and current pictures would underscore the husband’s decision to let his wife rest in peace. That would be bad for the Press, so erase them.
• The Press reports - He (Michael) didn’t let the family in to be with her at the end! Excuse me, but isn’t the Husband part of the Family? Besides, maybe he just wanted to spend the last moments alone with her. That is his prerogative as her husband. The rest of the family was there up to the last ten minutes. Yes, maybe that was a bit dramatic on Michael’s part to ask them to leave. But after the way the other side of the family as acted I could see a reason to not allow them. Even that the spokesman, the Priest showed his disdain of Michael when he said, “the family would even sit with Michael in order to be there.” How loving is that .. Taking shots at him even to the last moment.
• I hope every one of those “CHRISTIAN PROTESTORS” apologize to the other people in that Hospice Center for denying them their peace and quiet as they dealt with their own problems. They banged their personal war drums so loud and often, I wonder why didn’t the Police stop them from disturbing other people in their time of sorrow and pain. The Priest’s showed real compassion by making just as much noise so they could get their picture on TV. Maybe this was the Catholic Priest’s way of deflecting their child abuse problems much like Tom Delay deflected his ethics woes for a brief moment, or as Jesse Jackson tried to bolster his flagging ego. Shoot, Michael Jackson should have come. Maybe he could have help support the circus atmosphere that the Media was generating.
• Shame on the Media, the Catholic Church, and the so-called Christian Protestors, and the busybody Congress.
• Shame with extenuating circumstances to the Family of Terry Schiavo (mom, dad, and brother).
  

From the South

Well, the vacation is almost over. Bowling was good; I didn’t embarrass myself nor finish last. I did though have fun and relax a bit. It helps going to an area that slows down as compared to the fast lane of the D.C. metro area. Next is Corpus Christi in March 2006.

There quite and experience when I dialed *HP in Mississippi on I-10. I reported a scrap metal truck that was going 70 mph and having scrap aluminum fly off his truck. Of course, every car behind him was swerving and dodging those little missiles including myself. The lady that answered didn’t want to do anything unless an accident occurred. Nothing like being proactive – one day too late. I guess it was doughnut break time for Bubba the Cop. I am relieved to say no one got hurt during the time I watched in my rear view. But there were a few dented hoods, burnt rubber from the skid marks and a whole lot of cursing.

As expected my “hurt” assistant didn’t come to work on Thursday as expected and the newsroom network melted down. All I could do is shake my head and try to help my friend who was called in to fix it. His two-hour commute to get there and then the next 9 hours to get it all back up was a debt I will try and repay. Do I have too? No, but he is a friend who they took advantage of. Also, the odds of her coming back Monday: 10:1, why work when you can get a doctors pass and sit at home filling your mouth with potato chips and still get paid? Where did I miss the boat or was I born yesterday?

Looks like the trip may be a few days longer. Pops was told his defibrillator is defective and may not work. We knew that Medtronic – it works fine but lies about doing anything when it is downloaded. And they thought Pops was lying when he said it went off. In summary, there are 330+ people here with them and the hospital called and said he was #1 in priority to get a new one. So Tuesday and Wednesday will be spent in a waiting room. The procedure is easy enough. It is the testing that is the problem. They stop the heart and see it the unit restarts it. Well, in Pops case, it never does, at least the last 3 times, so the stress level is very high when they do it. They have to manually kick start him for another try.

What ever happened with rehabilitation of these convicted sex abusers? How many more children must die before we do something? At some point we must do something to stop them from preying on the harmless. Civil Rights? Heck, what rights does the little girl have after that so called rehabilitated sex-offender strangled her to death? How many children must die before his rights are forfeited. Why isn’t Congress hopping on this bandwagon instead of interfering in the Schiavo matter? Come on Jeb Bush – these crimes are in your back yard and you can do something - instead of grandstanding for re-election. Oh, that is right, you are Catholic and Catholics protect priests and thus they don’t get worried when a Child Abuser plies their trade. It seems that in the past they they would abuse and then let them go, but lately it is more fashionable to abuse and kill. And we want to abolish the death penalty as being too cruel? And Child Sex abuse isn’t? What about rape, execution, cold-blooded murder and other horrendous acts against another human? What is cruel if these acts aren’t? Could it be humans are the cruelest, nastiest, beings to ever walk the earth? Is there any other mammal in nature that abuses their offspring like this? Oh, that is right, we killed them into extinction as being too cruel and in-human.

Perhaps the words of the sentinel in the Matrix when he spoke to Morpheus was a harbinger of what reality is – Humans are the most vicious of organisms consuming everything around them until they alone are left.