As I get ready to do MY time-honored New Year's Eve tradition by turning into bed early, I still shake my head as I read again about Comcast eliminating all their local television production spots.
In a way, I'm not surprised. From the time I began volunteering down there in 1993, they seemed to be condensing operations, moving staff, eliminating this studio, eliminating that service. Every ensuing year would be a letdown as far as expectations go.
Half our shows were aired live. One of them was an hour-long news magazine, complete with correspondents, roll-in footage and everything. And everyone was treated to a breakfast out for their trouble, paid for by Comcast. This past year, all live shows were eliminated. We still had a call-in sports show and a call-in astrology show which had 33 years of airtime combined. When they lost that aspect of being live, the shows went downhill.
I know Sandy, the hostess of the astrology show. I'm not a numerology nut, but I'll listen to any idea once, and Sandy was the only one who could make numerology sound sensible to me. She's been on the air twenty years in this market. We had to turn away calls because she was so popular in the day. Now she wonders where she'll be able to produce the show again.
You could easily suggest Sandy go to the "competitor". Problem is, we've eliminated all those here. Comcast is as much of a monopoly as any company can be, and their only "competition" doesn't even compete as far as local programming goes. There is no viable alternative. Any video production company out there these days are more interested in videotaping weddings and birthdays for private exhibition versus anything that could be seen on TV. We used to have full access to the studio at Henry Ford College. In a precursor of things to come, they shut it down in 1999 because they forsaw "no viable future use" of the medium there.
Most of our volunteers, initially, were seniors. Sixty percent of the volunteers when I hired in were 65 or over. Doing this work was their livelihood; it got them out of their homes and enabled them to be around people in a way that Senior Center activities can't quite do. You always got something educational out of it... whether it was learning a new position, or learning something new about the program itself.
Yes, my college degree has been laying dormant for some time now. But even the most optimistic, proactive person would not have wanted to see this coming.
It's simply another case of one company's short-sighted cost-cutting hurting the people who make that business, as well as the business of the world, go.
December 31, 2007
December 29, 2007
I'm doing better than my cab
I forgot to mention this: Although I was in the hospital over Christmas, at least I ended up getting out of there. My cab, on the other hand, didn't.
It was totalled barely three hours after I last drove it. The mechanic spent the whole afternoon trying to replace the radiator on it. Once he did, it was totalled hours later on the I-75 Rouge River Bridge. The driver smacked into a pile-up on the top of the bridge, got out of the cab, and then witnessed a sideways-skidding 18-wheeler plow into it, turning it into an accordion.
The driver was okay, and wasn't cited a ticket for his trouble. All the blame in this case went to the semi-driver. The cab driver was only on the job for a few days, so you can only imagine how nervous he's been to report to work since that time.
It's doubly ironic: that it happened on the day I went into the hospital, and that it happened on the exact bridge I've had nightmares about plunging off of for decades. In this area, there's been one bridge and one off-ramp I've always had nightmares traversing: the ramp being the I-75 ramp downtown where the Fisher Fwy. changes into the Chrysler Fwy.
I've driven with other drivers and they are literal maniacs. I drive normally, and the dispatcher always asks what's taking me so long.
Therein lies the reason why... verified ten-fold.
It was totalled barely three hours after I last drove it. The mechanic spent the whole afternoon trying to replace the radiator on it. Once he did, it was totalled hours later on the I-75 Rouge River Bridge. The driver smacked into a pile-up on the top of the bridge, got out of the cab, and then witnessed a sideways-skidding 18-wheeler plow into it, turning it into an accordion.
The driver was okay, and wasn't cited a ticket for his trouble. All the blame in this case went to the semi-driver. The cab driver was only on the job for a few days, so you can only imagine how nervous he's been to report to work since that time.
It's doubly ironic: that it happened on the day I went into the hospital, and that it happened on the exact bridge I've had nightmares about plunging off of for decades. In this area, there's been one bridge and one off-ramp I've always had nightmares traversing: the ramp being the I-75 ramp downtown where the Fisher Fwy. changes into the Chrysler Fwy.
I've driven with other drivers and they are literal maniacs. I drive normally, and the dispatcher always asks what's taking me so long.
Therein lies the reason why... verified ten-fold.
December 28, 2007
TV ads set up Toyota's ambitious goal
Toyota Motors has announced their plan to build 9 million cars in 2008. With that volume, barring an increase from GM, Toyota will become the #1 automaker next year.
You can't say you haven't seen this coming. Look at all the local car ads that air on TV today. Lexus... Honda... Toyota... Audi... the only time you see ads for the Big 3 are on local sportscasts. National Prime Time shows feature the foreign car ads.
I like the catchphrase of the redesigned Chevy Malibu: "We're tired of being a foreign car in our own country." If you went just by television ads alone, anything Ford, GM or Chrysler make is foreign. We know that's not the case. We do know the Big 3 have been struggling. But have they completely eliminated advertising dollars?
GM has the power to stop Toyota from becoming #1. The only question is if they are willing to do it, and show the world that America still has manufacturing bragging rights. We need to send some good news out there.
* Michigan and Rhode Island are the only two states who lost population last year. Michigan lost 30,500 people due to the depressed economy. Look for a repeat next year. People are tired of the same old song & dance.
* If I feel well enough, I may drive around the neighborhood tonight to snap photos of remaining Christmas displays. Some of them are very well thought out.
* Slept solidly last night for the first time in a week. I was hoping to get some stuff done around here, but the headache has recently returned. An omnious sign not to get too much done too soon!
You can't say you haven't seen this coming. Look at all the local car ads that air on TV today. Lexus... Honda... Toyota... Audi... the only time you see ads for the Big 3 are on local sportscasts. National Prime Time shows feature the foreign car ads.
I like the catchphrase of the redesigned Chevy Malibu: "We're tired of being a foreign car in our own country." If you went just by television ads alone, anything Ford, GM or Chrysler make is foreign. We know that's not the case. We do know the Big 3 have been struggling. But have they completely eliminated advertising dollars?
GM has the power to stop Toyota from becoming #1. The only question is if they are willing to do it, and show the world that America still has manufacturing bragging rights. We need to send some good news out there.
* Michigan and Rhode Island are the only two states who lost population last year. Michigan lost 30,500 people due to the depressed economy. Look for a repeat next year. People are tired of the same old song & dance.
* If I feel well enough, I may drive around the neighborhood tonight to snap photos of remaining Christmas displays. Some of them are very well thought out.
* Slept solidly last night for the first time in a week. I was hoping to get some stuff done around here, but the headache has recently returned. An omnious sign not to get too much done too soon!
December 27, 2007
Hospital stay over, recovery needed
I've just returned from 2 1/2 days at Garden City Hospital. Right now I'm not even worried about how I'm going to pay them. Applications have been filed with Medicaid. It's not guaranteed they'll cover me, but at least I'm now applied and in the system.
The diagnosis: Viral pnuemonia stage 2. Had I waited another day to go in, my right lung would have collapsed, according to the doctor. I know my cousin Denny Jr. had a collapsed lung about three years ago and it took him a long time to recover. Of course, his living habits were really on the skids; he went through more depression and a longer funk than even I did.
I went to Garden City (an independent hospital) knowing about the negative feedback that Diane gave me about the place. Every time Irene went there, she ended up transferring to Henry Ford downtown because they didn't want to treat her.
I can honestly say they treated me extremely well down there; better than they treated me at Wyandotte in 1979 (tonsils) and Oakwood in 1994 (gas buildup). The staff truly cared and lifted my spirits.
I always seem to enter the hospital during national observances. In 1979, I went in on Ash Wednesday. I went Thanksgiving Day 1994 to Oakwood, Easter Sunday 2005 to St. Mary's, and now Christmas Day 2007 to Garden City. Is there a major holiday I haven't used yet?
I'm back now, discharged after my white blood cell count went down to high normal range. I feel like I did before Christmas Eve, still coughing bad, still with headaches... but not with chills, no range of motion, or black thoughts.
Reflections of my visit follow below in the next entry.
The diagnosis: Viral pnuemonia stage 2. Had I waited another day to go in, my right lung would have collapsed, according to the doctor. I know my cousin Denny Jr. had a collapsed lung about three years ago and it took him a long time to recover. Of course, his living habits were really on the skids; he went through more depression and a longer funk than even I did.
I went to Garden City (an independent hospital) knowing about the negative feedback that Diane gave me about the place. Every time Irene went there, she ended up transferring to Henry Ford downtown because they didn't want to treat her.
I can honestly say they treated me extremely well down there; better than they treated me at Wyandotte in 1979 (tonsils) and Oakwood in 1994 (gas buildup). The staff truly cared and lifted my spirits.
I always seem to enter the hospital during national observances. In 1979, I went in on Ash Wednesday. I went Thanksgiving Day 1994 to Oakwood, Easter Sunday 2005 to St. Mary's, and now Christmas Day 2007 to Garden City. Is there a major holiday I haven't used yet?
I'm back now, discharged after my white blood cell count went down to high normal range. I feel like I did before Christmas Eve, still coughing bad, still with headaches... but not with chills, no range of motion, or black thoughts.
Reflections of my visit follow below in the next entry.
Reflections on my hospital stay
This "diary" comes totally from short-term memory, which I thought was a total loss entering Garden City Hospital on Christmas Day. Guess some things still work with me.
DECEMBER 24th:
- Came home from a rough day at work; my cab broke down twice due to my stupidity. I set the house temperature to 79 degrees, yet I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my right shoulder blade and tingling in the toes. I felt very drained and just collapsed on the bed, trying to shake it off under the covers.
I woke up an hour later to utter blackness. The only thing I knew is where I was. Normally I have this annoying habit of a song running through my mind. For the first time in nearly 20 years, nothing. No song. Even trying to get a song in my mind did not work. I tried to move -- and I could not. The first thing I thought was "stroke".
Even moving fingers took five minutes to do after the brain commanded them to. You can only realize how long it took me to get out of bed. I had to roll onto the floor to get out, then use furniture to brace myself up. I lumbered very slowly to the couch, collapsed right in. Dustea (the cat) nuzzled up to me, I couldn't feel her. I couldn't remember her name. There was just a feeling of emptiness, an utter blackness I had never felt before. I was completely frozen.
Getting a beverage took over 20 minutes. Time passed so slowly, minutes seemed like mutliple hours. I couldn't call anyone even if I wanted to, I had no voice, just that annoying cough that started to be bloody. "Zombie" got a new meaning Christmas morning.
By 6 AM, I knew this thing couldn't go un-hospitalized.
DECEMBER 25th:
- Still, I tried to fight going to the hospital, in spite of Laura's pleas to do so. I don't have adequate medical coverage, and I didn't want another bill added to my list. Dustea needed her litter box cleaned; it took 15 minutes to get there. Fell full-force on my rump sitting down at the box. Did the deed, but kept dropping the scoop. Sat there 25 minutes, unable to move or talk. Finally slid myself into the bathroom, though that took awhile too.
After another nap, I decided to finally enter the hospital... I'd pay for the risk later, I thought. Somehow got dressed, and by then was able to stand up well enough to where I'd take the risk of driving there myself. Hell, I still owe something on a 2005 ambulance bill, so no way was I going to call 911. I crawled along at 10 MPH, but the hospital is so close to the house, it didn't matter.
At the hospital: couldn't find the ER entrance, and seemed like every parking spot was designated for someone. I had to park in the boondocks and stagger into the main entrance. After some confusion, I found the ER entrance and buzzed my way in.
My spirits perked up as I saw a sign that said it was state law for them to help me, whether I could pay or not. No more embarassment. I struggled to the desk and filled out the forms...
DECEMBER 24th:
- Came home from a rough day at work; my cab broke down twice due to my stupidity. I set the house temperature to 79 degrees, yet I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my right shoulder blade and tingling in the toes. I felt very drained and just collapsed on the bed, trying to shake it off under the covers.
I woke up an hour later to utter blackness. The only thing I knew is where I was. Normally I have this annoying habit of a song running through my mind. For the first time in nearly 20 years, nothing. No song. Even trying to get a song in my mind did not work. I tried to move -- and I could not. The first thing I thought was "stroke".
Even moving fingers took five minutes to do after the brain commanded them to. You can only realize how long it took me to get out of bed. I had to roll onto the floor to get out, then use furniture to brace myself up. I lumbered very slowly to the couch, collapsed right in. Dustea (the cat) nuzzled up to me, I couldn't feel her. I couldn't remember her name. There was just a feeling of emptiness, an utter blackness I had never felt before. I was completely frozen.
Getting a beverage took over 20 minutes. Time passed so slowly, minutes seemed like mutliple hours. I couldn't call anyone even if I wanted to, I had no voice, just that annoying cough that started to be bloody. "Zombie" got a new meaning Christmas morning.
By 6 AM, I knew this thing couldn't go un-hospitalized.
DECEMBER 25th:
- Still, I tried to fight going to the hospital, in spite of Laura's pleas to do so. I don't have adequate medical coverage, and I didn't want another bill added to my list. Dustea needed her litter box cleaned; it took 15 minutes to get there. Fell full-force on my rump sitting down at the box. Did the deed, but kept dropping the scoop. Sat there 25 minutes, unable to move or talk. Finally slid myself into the bathroom, though that took awhile too.
After another nap, I decided to finally enter the hospital... I'd pay for the risk later, I thought. Somehow got dressed, and by then was able to stand up well enough to where I'd take the risk of driving there myself. Hell, I still owe something on a 2005 ambulance bill, so no way was I going to call 911. I crawled along at 10 MPH, but the hospital is so close to the house, it didn't matter.
At the hospital: couldn't find the ER entrance, and seemed like every parking spot was designated for someone. I had to park in the boondocks and stagger into the main entrance. After some confusion, I found the ER entrance and buzzed my way in.
My spirits perked up as I saw a sign that said it was state law for them to help me, whether I could pay or not. No more embarassment. I struggled to the desk and filled out the forms...
Reflections on hospital stay - 2
DECEMBER 25th, continued:
- I was amazed at how quickly I was called into the Triage room, two minutes. I explained my condition. They were patient with me despite my slurred speech. I went right into the ER and took bed #8. The ward was about 3/4ths full.
Within three minutes (I kid you not), a doctor was there for me. He ordered X-Rays of my chest. Barely five minutes later, the X-Ray tech showed up. Ten minutes later, I was back at #8. Now THIS is emergency service at its best!
Ten minutes after that came the diagnosis: viral pneumonia stage 2. You couldn't see my right lung as it was obscured with the pneumonia. Twenty-four hours later and that lung would have collapsed under the pressure.
The only substantial wait followed while trying to be assigned to a room. It ended up being about a 2-hour wait, but time was still creeping at a standstill for me. I "passed" (to be polite) a mix of liquid & solid, and I actually may have died right there if the nurse had not rescued me.
As I said, Garden City Hospital overall was very very good. But let's try to get OSHA in there to monitor housekeeping. Even two hours later as I was being wheeled to my room, they still hadn't cleaned up the mess adequately. "They make us do all this extra work," one kept saying. Well, a hospital needs to be clean and sanitary... come on!
One guy in the ER with me had to have gauze stuffed through his nose all the way down to his stomach, and he was my roommate. I had to give him kudos for his guts. I didn't know what his problem was at first because he was gasping for air and complaining loudly, but after I found out, he was a trouper to me. He had no complaints about his situation throughout the night.
The hospital bed was a much better fit than the ER table, but I felt as if I were sliding off everything I was laying on. My back pain came back for the first time in months and was debilitating. For the third night in a row, I could not sleep. Nothing for my cough or pain, just a double IV drop of sodium and magnesium.
My magnesium level was zilch. Zinc was near zilch. I had hypothermia, malnutrition, rolling veins, and nearly had a seizure. Blood pressure - forget it - it was stuck at 85 / 40 - dangerously low. Only one check out of 14 I ended up getting had systolic above 100. Turns out I have very low blood pressure, in fact. I ended up with a 103 fever that night, but that was treated. But I didn't know how I would handle food.
DECEMBER 26th:
- Food came in the morning and I ate about 1/2 of it. Watched Price Is Right for the first time in months... Drew Carey's doing a much better job of hosting, by the way. The roomate was discharged in early PM, so I had the room to myself for the remainder of the stay. My thoughts turned to how long I might be in there, and what would happen to my car if security thought it was abandoned.
Finally gained back enough of my voice to where I could finally place a couple calls to friends and local relatives. Phone and TV services were free - and the TV service showed it: hospital channel after hospital channel. They don't bring up newspapers. Their magazines have an average shelf age of two years. I was bored out of my mind because I couldn't read something. I must have gone through at least 14 cups of water today -- at least I knew my system was being cleaned out - it needed it badly...
- I was amazed at how quickly I was called into the Triage room, two minutes. I explained my condition. They were patient with me despite my slurred speech. I went right into the ER and took bed #8. The ward was about 3/4ths full.
Within three minutes (I kid you not), a doctor was there for me. He ordered X-Rays of my chest. Barely five minutes later, the X-Ray tech showed up. Ten minutes later, I was back at #8. Now THIS is emergency service at its best!
Ten minutes after that came the diagnosis: viral pneumonia stage 2. You couldn't see my right lung as it was obscured with the pneumonia. Twenty-four hours later and that lung would have collapsed under the pressure.
The only substantial wait followed while trying to be assigned to a room. It ended up being about a 2-hour wait, but time was still creeping at a standstill for me. I "passed" (to be polite) a mix of liquid & solid, and I actually may have died right there if the nurse had not rescued me.
As I said, Garden City Hospital overall was very very good. But let's try to get OSHA in there to monitor housekeeping. Even two hours later as I was being wheeled to my room, they still hadn't cleaned up the mess adequately. "They make us do all this extra work," one kept saying. Well, a hospital needs to be clean and sanitary... come on!
One guy in the ER with me had to have gauze stuffed through his nose all the way down to his stomach, and he was my roommate. I had to give him kudos for his guts. I didn't know what his problem was at first because he was gasping for air and complaining loudly, but after I found out, he was a trouper to me. He had no complaints about his situation throughout the night.
The hospital bed was a much better fit than the ER table, but I felt as if I were sliding off everything I was laying on. My back pain came back for the first time in months and was debilitating. For the third night in a row, I could not sleep. Nothing for my cough or pain, just a double IV drop of sodium and magnesium.
My magnesium level was zilch. Zinc was near zilch. I had hypothermia, malnutrition, rolling veins, and nearly had a seizure. Blood pressure - forget it - it was stuck at 85 / 40 - dangerously low. Only one check out of 14 I ended up getting had systolic above 100. Turns out I have very low blood pressure, in fact. I ended up with a 103 fever that night, but that was treated. But I didn't know how I would handle food.
DECEMBER 26th:
- Food came in the morning and I ate about 1/2 of it. Watched Price Is Right for the first time in months... Drew Carey's doing a much better job of hosting, by the way. The roomate was discharged in early PM, so I had the room to myself for the remainder of the stay. My thoughts turned to how long I might be in there, and what would happen to my car if security thought it was abandoned.
Finally gained back enough of my voice to where I could finally place a couple calls to friends and local relatives. Phone and TV services were free - and the TV service showed it: hospital channel after hospital channel. They don't bring up newspapers. Their magazines have an average shelf age of two years. I was bored out of my mind because I couldn't read something. I must have gone through at least 14 cups of water today -- at least I knew my system was being cleaned out - it needed it badly...
Reflections on hospital stay - 3
DECEMBER 26th (continued):
- I had a gruff man (Ralph) come in who identified himself as the assistant. This was the only staffer I saw that was not very professional in his behavior. I kinda made a smart remark that may have ticked him off a bit more, too: he replaced a woman named Lolita, yet he didn't change the erase board to put his name down, so I called him Lolita. The nurse laughed, you can guess he didn't. "You gotta get on the ball!", they were telling him. He didn't make very many appearances afterward, and gee I wonder why.
Lunch and dinner, unfortunately, did not go down that well. One-third pound swiss chicken with spice sauce? I was tempted to send the whole damn thing back. I thought you got to order what you wanted off a menu. They still came a long way from my 1994 Oakwood visit, where I had to eat thru cellophane to get at a cold turkey sandwich. At least they have actual working kitchens now.
Laura finally came by around 7 pm and stayed for about 45 minutes. She sat on the bed with me, which surprised me; I thought she would sit in the chair. She's nearly seven months into her second pregnancy, and she can't afford to get sick. I was grateful for her company and I let her do most of the talking, I still couldn't do more than two sentences at a time without a coughing fit. I was still uncomfortable because of my limited mobility, the IV cord in my left arm, and that damn back pain.
After Laura left, they finally gave me three pills for the back pain and re-did the sheets on the bed, plus repositioned it. From then on, lying in the bed was much more tolerable, and with more comfort, some range of motion began to come back.
Once again, after Ralph clocked out, everyone they sent me was very caring and concerned. I only wish they treated Irene like this. For whatever reason, they didn't, and it feels a bit discouraging.
DECEMBER 27th:
- Encouraging signs: I finally fell asleep about 8AM after a good French Toast breakfast. I only slept for about 20 minutes at a time, but it was progress. I watched CNN all morning for its coverage of the Bhutto (Pakistan) assassination. It seems like the Middle East doesn't want peace at all. I think our troops are stationed there for life, sadly. President Bush wants World War III; he even mentioned the term "World War III" a few months ago. Is this all he really wants?
The lady representing Medicaid came in and interviewed me. She said there's not a very good chance Medicaid can cover me, because I've not been disabled for too long. Um, ask the airport, ask Concentra, ask me, read this blog's archives... how many months was I down with that bad back, needing a cane to walk around in September / October? Hope she doesn't ask that bonehead from the IME who said I majored in theatrics. One look at how many pain pills I've been given for my back since last night ought to tell her more about my harrowing 2007 with my back.
Aunt Lori came by about midway through the interview and she had to wait outside another 20 minutes. She's doing well, although a week after getting her new car, she got into an accident with it. She brought some newspapers for me, thank goodness, and that carried me through the afternoon. One item I read was that Comcast is closing down ALL their public access studios in Michigan. So now the roots of my TV beginnings are completely gone. This decision is going down to a fight, as Congressman Dingell is threatning some legal action. The basis of his opinion is right on the money, and I hope he carries it through.
Lunch was fantastic, and about two hours later, the doctor came back and said I was good to go. They were waiting for my white blood cell count to go down to an acceptable level. Blood pressure was still very low, but everything else was good: the lungs were beginning to clear out. My range of motion was back. The songs became stuck in my head again. Very good signs.
I got a wheelchair ride all the way to the main entrance. Now I know why those people with Hoverounds like them so much. Everyone waved good-bye, and I told them all how much they helped me through this. These are very giving people, and I'm shocked they don't get recognition from more patients. They seemed genuinely accepting of the praise.
All in all... not an experience I want to go through again medically. But if I'm being treated that well at that facility, then it's not a bad thing. In this war-torn world, it's nice to see human compassion that's not being driven by money. They don't make much for what they do.
I drove home slowly, but very alertly. Came home to a messy kitchen (thanks Steve), and when George came home, he broke the news that my cab was totalled on the I-75 Rouge River Bridge, only an hour after they replaced the radiator I wrecked. That's the bridge I always fear plunging off of. It ended up getting smacked by a semi skidding sideways. So work honored the doctor's request for an additional week off, obviously because now, there's no car to put me into.
I'm not even worried. I'm just glad I'm home!! Now Dustea's reading me the riot act about her food dish. How quickly things get back to normal.
It's been a Christmas to remember.
- I had a gruff man (Ralph) come in who identified himself as the assistant. This was the only staffer I saw that was not very professional in his behavior. I kinda made a smart remark that may have ticked him off a bit more, too: he replaced a woman named Lolita, yet he didn't change the erase board to put his name down, so I called him Lolita. The nurse laughed, you can guess he didn't. "You gotta get on the ball!", they were telling him. He didn't make very many appearances afterward, and gee I wonder why.
Lunch and dinner, unfortunately, did not go down that well. One-third pound swiss chicken with spice sauce? I was tempted to send the whole damn thing back. I thought you got to order what you wanted off a menu. They still came a long way from my 1994 Oakwood visit, where I had to eat thru cellophane to get at a cold turkey sandwich. At least they have actual working kitchens now.
Laura finally came by around 7 pm and stayed for about 45 minutes. She sat on the bed with me, which surprised me; I thought she would sit in the chair. She's nearly seven months into her second pregnancy, and she can't afford to get sick. I was grateful for her company and I let her do most of the talking, I still couldn't do more than two sentences at a time without a coughing fit. I was still uncomfortable because of my limited mobility, the IV cord in my left arm, and that damn back pain.
After Laura left, they finally gave me three pills for the back pain and re-did the sheets on the bed, plus repositioned it. From then on, lying in the bed was much more tolerable, and with more comfort, some range of motion began to come back.
Once again, after Ralph clocked out, everyone they sent me was very caring and concerned. I only wish they treated Irene like this. For whatever reason, they didn't, and it feels a bit discouraging.
DECEMBER 27th:
- Encouraging signs: I finally fell asleep about 8AM after a good French Toast breakfast. I only slept for about 20 minutes at a time, but it was progress. I watched CNN all morning for its coverage of the Bhutto (Pakistan) assassination. It seems like the Middle East doesn't want peace at all. I think our troops are stationed there for life, sadly. President Bush wants World War III; he even mentioned the term "World War III" a few months ago. Is this all he really wants?
The lady representing Medicaid came in and interviewed me. She said there's not a very good chance Medicaid can cover me, because I've not been disabled for too long. Um, ask the airport, ask Concentra, ask me, read this blog's archives... how many months was I down with that bad back, needing a cane to walk around in September / October? Hope she doesn't ask that bonehead from the IME who said I majored in theatrics. One look at how many pain pills I've been given for my back since last night ought to tell her more about my harrowing 2007 with my back.
Aunt Lori came by about midway through the interview and she had to wait outside another 20 minutes. She's doing well, although a week after getting her new car, she got into an accident with it. She brought some newspapers for me, thank goodness, and that carried me through the afternoon. One item I read was that Comcast is closing down ALL their public access studios in Michigan. So now the roots of my TV beginnings are completely gone. This decision is going down to a fight, as Congressman Dingell is threatning some legal action. The basis of his opinion is right on the money, and I hope he carries it through.
Lunch was fantastic, and about two hours later, the doctor came back and said I was good to go. They were waiting for my white blood cell count to go down to an acceptable level. Blood pressure was still very low, but everything else was good: the lungs were beginning to clear out. My range of motion was back. The songs became stuck in my head again. Very good signs.
I got a wheelchair ride all the way to the main entrance. Now I know why those people with Hoverounds like them so much. Everyone waved good-bye, and I told them all how much they helped me through this. These are very giving people, and I'm shocked they don't get recognition from more patients. They seemed genuinely accepting of the praise.
All in all... not an experience I want to go through again medically. But if I'm being treated that well at that facility, then it's not a bad thing. In this war-torn world, it's nice to see human compassion that's not being driven by money. They don't make much for what they do.
I drove home slowly, but very alertly. Came home to a messy kitchen (thanks Steve), and when George came home, he broke the news that my cab was totalled on the I-75 Rouge River Bridge, only an hour after they replaced the radiator I wrecked. That's the bridge I always fear plunging off of. It ended up getting smacked by a semi skidding sideways. So work honored the doctor's request for an additional week off, obviously because now, there's no car to put me into.
I'm not even worried. I'm just glad I'm home!! Now Dustea's reading me the riot act about her food dish. How quickly things get back to normal.
It's been a Christmas to remember.
December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas to everyone else
It's not likely I would be able to post this tomorrow, so I'm doing it now. Merry Christmas to everyone -- except me.
I am likely headed to the hospital emergency room tomorrow. I cannot move, can't keep my balance when I do move, and starting to cough up blood. I got chills after getting home from work tonight, took a nap, woke up... and everything was literally dead. Thoughts, actions, motion. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get out of bed and just get this computer on. The night has gone on endlessly. I've given "insomniac" new meaning.
I've put off the hospital because of insurance issues up to now. But right now, looks like I have no choice. Keep me in your thoughts.
I am likely headed to the hospital emergency room tomorrow. I cannot move, can't keep my balance when I do move, and starting to cough up blood. I got chills after getting home from work tonight, took a nap, woke up... and everything was literally dead. Thoughts, actions, motion. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get out of bed and just get this computer on. The night has gone on endlessly. I've given "insomniac" new meaning.
I've put off the hospital because of insurance issues up to now. But right now, looks like I have no choice. Keep me in your thoughts.
December 20, 2007
Random thoughts - December 20th
The mind is racing this morning. Here is a sampling:
* Hopefully, my father and Marilyn had a safe trip going down to Florida yesterday. They will be returning to Arizona on the 9th.
* Looks like part of my "site survey" has already been completed. I am looking to move to the west coast, and haven't been able to get in contact with stepbrother Dave or his wife Rae. Talking to Marilyn two nights ago, though, she's already put forth the news that I'm interested. Their reaction seems to be very positive. Any trip will be after the New Year, of course, but I will try to talk to them before Christmas. Perhaps by March, I can be out there permanently.
I no longer have ties to Michigan as of this month, so what's the point of me being here? There's jobs in the writing field over there (wow, this blog will make good visual reference, hee hee...).
* What do these airlines want? First, Spirit goes to a la carte pricing (which means you pay $2.50 on a credit card to get water). Now, Steve's job is in jeopardy as Detroit is looking to cut 150 workers from Northwest. If Steve is not spared, he can go to another station, but would also have to move out of Michigan.
This leaves poor George, who just moved here. But his boss is giving him the "Spirit treatment" (I'll pay you when I'm good & ready). George has put applications elsewhere. He's as close to a certified mechanic as there is, and he needs a better place to display his know-how other than "Quickee Lube"... whose name by itself, uh, doesn't warrant being highlighted in boldface on a resume.
* Two weeks since the blockbuster Detroit Tiger deal for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. For some reason, I am having difficulty liking the trade. We have the "win now" philosophy, but we paid Florida 3/4ths of our farm system. What does "win now" mean? That we're back to stinking in three years? I wanted us to be competitive for the long term.
Another reason that baseball is the hot ticket in town, and not hockey. Can't wait to see how this move pans out. But safe to say I need more convincing in order to like it.
* My answer to the baseball/steroids thing? Ban them all. In the case of Barry Bonds, erase his statistics. In the case of Roger Clemens, make him take a lie detector test on live television. And in the case of ex-Tiger OF Nook Logan, who was named in the Mitchell report and has a lifetime total of - what - 5 homers... a grocery stocking job is waiting somewhere. Americans DO want those jobs.
* We survived the ten-inch snowfall over the weekend. But it's still amazing how Michigan drivers can't adjust to the conditions, when they are conditioned themselves to know what weather is coming. Florida & Georgia drivers, I can understand. But we are the northern people! Why can't they show they can drive as such?
I only hope I can get Christmas off this year - it would be my first time in eight years!
* Hopefully, my father and Marilyn had a safe trip going down to Florida yesterday. They will be returning to Arizona on the 9th.
* Looks like part of my "site survey" has already been completed. I am looking to move to the west coast, and haven't been able to get in contact with stepbrother Dave or his wife Rae. Talking to Marilyn two nights ago, though, she's already put forth the news that I'm interested. Their reaction seems to be very positive. Any trip will be after the New Year, of course, but I will try to talk to them before Christmas. Perhaps by March, I can be out there permanently.
I no longer have ties to Michigan as of this month, so what's the point of me being here? There's jobs in the writing field over there (wow, this blog will make good visual reference, hee hee...).
* What do these airlines want? First, Spirit goes to a la carte pricing (which means you pay $2.50 on a credit card to get water). Now, Steve's job is in jeopardy as Detroit is looking to cut 150 workers from Northwest. If Steve is not spared, he can go to another station, but would also have to move out of Michigan.
This leaves poor George, who just moved here. But his boss is giving him the "Spirit treatment" (I'll pay you when I'm good & ready). George has put applications elsewhere. He's as close to a certified mechanic as there is, and he needs a better place to display his know-how other than "Quickee Lube"... whose name by itself, uh, doesn't warrant being highlighted in boldface on a resume.
* Two weeks since the blockbuster Detroit Tiger deal for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. For some reason, I am having difficulty liking the trade. We have the "win now" philosophy, but we paid Florida 3/4ths of our farm system. What does "win now" mean? That we're back to stinking in three years? I wanted us to be competitive for the long term.
Another reason that baseball is the hot ticket in town, and not hockey. Can't wait to see how this move pans out. But safe to say I need more convincing in order to like it.
* My answer to the baseball/steroids thing? Ban them all. In the case of Barry Bonds, erase his statistics. In the case of Roger Clemens, make him take a lie detector test on live television. And in the case of ex-Tiger OF Nook Logan, who was named in the Mitchell report and has a lifetime total of - what - 5 homers... a grocery stocking job is waiting somewhere. Americans DO want those jobs.
* We survived the ten-inch snowfall over the weekend. But it's still amazing how Michigan drivers can't adjust to the conditions, when they are conditioned themselves to know what weather is coming. Florida & Georgia drivers, I can understand. But we are the northern people! Why can't they show they can drive as such?
I only hope I can get Christmas off this year - it would be my first time in eight years!
December 18, 2007
The jobs Americans don't want
Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted, but things are going pretty well despite me getting the flu, bronchitis, pnuemonia, or whatever it is from two different directions. I'll explain more later. Thank you also to several people who have complimented the blog thus far, and its new look.
At work, I normally patrol the south area of Detroit, namely Downriver. Every day I pass down Eureka Rd. near Southland Mall, I see either one or two people standing at the curbfront, no matter what the weather is, holding signs advertising those "blue tooth headsets"... those things that flash blue that you use with your cellphone, I think.
I keep thinking to a speech President Bush made about two years ago regarding the job situation in the country, and remember part of his quote that ended with "the jobs Americans don't want."
We in Michigan, of course, laugh our rears off at that statement. With an unemployment rate already at 8%, and with predicitions that it will go to 9.5% fresh in our heads, where are the jobs Americans don't want? Michiganders will take them!
Still, I can't believe that people sign up to work at a cellphone store, and don't even get to stand behind the counter to demonstrate the gadgets. Cellphone stores are hot, and it's good to know the technology. But if I work at a cellphone store, I would want to know the technology and develop good customer relations, not stand outside and wiggle a sign telling customers to come in. Incidentally, there are similiar signs littered all over the outside of that building, which is NOT invisible to drivers along Eureka.
True, the Little Ceasars pizza station two miles down uses (or forces the employee to use) creativity when they hold signs. They dance, move the sign around, and definitely make drivers stop and wonder (what they wonder is anyone's guess).
The sign people are out more than the mail delivery personnel, in every conceivable weather condition. If the job description doesn't say "must work outside", why do they have to do that, when they could be learning about the cellphone business?
I can understand that position being on the short list of jobs Americans truly do not want. But the list is not as exhaustive as President Bush claims it is.
Ask any American forced onto the street.
At work, I normally patrol the south area of Detroit, namely Downriver. Every day I pass down Eureka Rd. near Southland Mall, I see either one or two people standing at the curbfront, no matter what the weather is, holding signs advertising those "blue tooth headsets"... those things that flash blue that you use with your cellphone, I think.
I keep thinking to a speech President Bush made about two years ago regarding the job situation in the country, and remember part of his quote that ended with "the jobs Americans don't want."
We in Michigan, of course, laugh our rears off at that statement. With an unemployment rate already at 8%, and with predicitions that it will go to 9.5% fresh in our heads, where are the jobs Americans don't want? Michiganders will take them!
Still, I can't believe that people sign up to work at a cellphone store, and don't even get to stand behind the counter to demonstrate the gadgets. Cellphone stores are hot, and it's good to know the technology. But if I work at a cellphone store, I would want to know the technology and develop good customer relations, not stand outside and wiggle a sign telling customers to come in. Incidentally, there are similiar signs littered all over the outside of that building, which is NOT invisible to drivers along Eureka.
True, the Little Ceasars pizza station two miles down uses (or forces the employee to use) creativity when they hold signs. They dance, move the sign around, and definitely make drivers stop and wonder (what they wonder is anyone's guess).
The sign people are out more than the mail delivery personnel, in every conceivable weather condition. If the job description doesn't say "must work outside", why do they have to do that, when they could be learning about the cellphone business?
I can understand that position being on the short list of jobs Americans truly do not want. But the list is not as exhaustive as President Bush claims it is.
Ask any American forced onto the street.
December 10, 2007
Really putting Mars within reach
Jay Leno does a "Headlines" segment on the Tonight Show. One reason it's been so funny for so many years is that the headlines are new, and -- if not -- at least have new, humorous twists.
He doesn't recycle headlines verbatim. On the other hand, how many times has this headline been recycled over the years: "Space Shuttle Launch Delayed Again".
Yep, space shuttle Atlantis has had its launch date pushed behind a second time, to January 2nd, after more glitches in three fuel sensors were noted. Even emptying the fuel tanks as a precaution caused one to trip.
Let's see... the space shuttle program began in earnest in 1981, although we're still using the same basic shuttle design as was used in the 1970s. In all those years, has there been a complete retrofit, even though it was implied there was following the Columbia disaster a few years back?
It's the same four or five problems time after time. Since Columbia, concern about the heat shields and the foam around them have dominated headlines more than the actual shuttle mission. The decision to postpone the missions are very wise; we can never be too careful. We've already lost too many astronauts to flight disasters.
But these delays seem to be over the same problems. And it makes me wonder: If the shuttle program has been running for over 26 years, haven't designers & engineers done anything to evolve shuttle design? Why are we using almost the same design and the same parts nearly three decades later?
Think of Ford Motor Company still having the Pinto out as its #1 model in 2008, looking the same in body parts as it did in the 70s... going nowhere with fuel economy or safety. The design of a car model varies year to year as new advancements are discovered & implemented. If something's wrong, the model is recalled, and subsequent models take care of the defect.
We're not saying to redesign the shuttle and bring out a new one every year -- but with these heat shield (tile) problems resurfacing and delaying missions, don't you think someone would have gotten the message that the troubles could be solved by a redesign?
In twelve short years, from the time of the first orbiter to the first Moon landing, technology evolved so many times over, and man's dream to evolve space travel & exploration was realized. What has been realized since 1981? The goals seem to have stayed the same. The missions seem to entail the same details.
Where's the advancement -- not only in technology & design, but in an effort to move forward? Has anything been done towards President Bush's idea to explore Mars in the future?
Nope. Same heat shield problems... same fuel sensor problems... same delays. It's almost newsworthy if an initial launch date actually happens with no problems.
The shuttle looks to be a cash cow. The money would probably be better spent on eliminating other problems in this country (crime, education etc.). I for one am all for advancements in space. But if we're getting the same broken records for launch headlines, perhaps the Hubble Space telescope will be our only logical means of reaching the stars.
Brilliant engineers wanted... apply at Cape Canaveral if we are to win this race for space.
He doesn't recycle headlines verbatim. On the other hand, how many times has this headline been recycled over the years: "Space Shuttle Launch Delayed Again".
Yep, space shuttle Atlantis has had its launch date pushed behind a second time, to January 2nd, after more glitches in three fuel sensors were noted. Even emptying the fuel tanks as a precaution caused one to trip.
Let's see... the space shuttle program began in earnest in 1981, although we're still using the same basic shuttle design as was used in the 1970s. In all those years, has there been a complete retrofit, even though it was implied there was following the Columbia disaster a few years back?
It's the same four or five problems time after time. Since Columbia, concern about the heat shields and the foam around them have dominated headlines more than the actual shuttle mission. The decision to postpone the missions are very wise; we can never be too careful. We've already lost too many astronauts to flight disasters.
But these delays seem to be over the same problems. And it makes me wonder: If the shuttle program has been running for over 26 years, haven't designers & engineers done anything to evolve shuttle design? Why are we using almost the same design and the same parts nearly three decades later?
Think of Ford Motor Company still having the Pinto out as its #1 model in 2008, looking the same in body parts as it did in the 70s... going nowhere with fuel economy or safety. The design of a car model varies year to year as new advancements are discovered & implemented. If something's wrong, the model is recalled, and subsequent models take care of the defect.
We're not saying to redesign the shuttle and bring out a new one every year -- but with these heat shield (tile) problems resurfacing and delaying missions, don't you think someone would have gotten the message that the troubles could be solved by a redesign?
In twelve short years, from the time of the first orbiter to the first Moon landing, technology evolved so many times over, and man's dream to evolve space travel & exploration was realized. What has been realized since 1981? The goals seem to have stayed the same. The missions seem to entail the same details.
Where's the advancement -- not only in technology & design, but in an effort to move forward? Has anything been done towards President Bush's idea to explore Mars in the future?
Nope. Same heat shield problems... same fuel sensor problems... same delays. It's almost newsworthy if an initial launch date actually happens with no problems.
The shuttle looks to be a cash cow. The money would probably be better spent on eliminating other problems in this country (crime, education etc.). I for one am all for advancements in space. But if we're getting the same broken records for launch headlines, perhaps the Hubble Space telescope will be our only logical means of reaching the stars.
Brilliant engineers wanted... apply at Cape Canaveral if we are to win this race for space.
December 9, 2007
Love in the charted waters
(Image uploaded from upload.wikimedia.org)
This is a chart that would have helped me as far back as 1992 if I knew it had existed. Your feelings about love are supposed to be genuine if they fit in the triangle. You need your eyes opened if they fall outside the triangle.
Amazing what I can see now!
Supposedly, I am to find out tomorrow night if the so-called relationship between me and Jennifer is still on or not. She likes to do this: go into hiding for three days while supposedly thinking about it.
I made my decision within one hour of the incident happening. And I'm tempted not to answer the phone at all tomorrow night. When a guy does one of the most romantic gestures he can for a girl and is shunned, you scratch your head, rub that eye wash into your eyes, cash in your chips, and move on.
Honestly, I've never hit the green area up above, and right now, could care less if I ever do.
Now to see if they have an image, done up in the same manner, for personal life and career choices...
December 4, 2007
You can't trust the public schools
Years ago, I recoiled at the possibility of going to public school. One of my underlying fears was that I would be bullied around more than I was in the private school. I preferred an environment where the teachers did more than just earn a paycheck.
This article in the Free Press explains why.
What gets me is the administration's role in this incident: doing their own thing, not even thinking twice about what happened to this special-needs student. It's more about their bottom line and less about the children they teach.
Or should I say, "attempt" to teach. Is there any wonder that Detroit suffers such a high dropout rate? Not all of them are the drug-infested kids the papers talk about. Some want to learn. In that environment, however, it's easy to give up, given the distractions.
I was tested for various problems in the 1970s before beginning school. I went to private school against my doctors' wishes - they never gave me a hopeful chance. My parents went against the grain because they chose to. Therein lies the rub: was the potential for a special needs school even considered for this student?
The signs were obvious. Why weren't the signs respected?
-------------------------------------------
I've taken a couple days off work due to a lingering cough, plus the brutal weather. I don't believe in putting passengers' lives at stake due to my questionable winter driving. I've found out in those two days they've fired a driver, and the night dispatcher quit. This may be my chance to finally do what I signed up to do: dispatch. We'll see what happens.
This article in the Free Press explains why.
What gets me is the administration's role in this incident: doing their own thing, not even thinking twice about what happened to this special-needs student. It's more about their bottom line and less about the children they teach.
Or should I say, "attempt" to teach. Is there any wonder that Detroit suffers such a high dropout rate? Not all of them are the drug-infested kids the papers talk about. Some want to learn. In that environment, however, it's easy to give up, given the distractions.
I was tested for various problems in the 1970s before beginning school. I went to private school against my doctors' wishes - they never gave me a hopeful chance. My parents went against the grain because they chose to. Therein lies the rub: was the potential for a special needs school even considered for this student?
The signs were obvious. Why weren't the signs respected?
-------------------------------------------
I've taken a couple days off work due to a lingering cough, plus the brutal weather. I don't believe in putting passengers' lives at stake due to my questionable winter driving. I've found out in those two days they've fired a driver, and the night dispatcher quit. This may be my chance to finally do what I signed up to do: dispatch. We'll see what happens.
December 3, 2007
Admit it -- we got suckered in
George, the new roommate, has guts. What was his weekend purchase for his bedroom last week?
A Detroit Lions poster.
So I have a big Lions fan on premises. How ironic it is that they haven't won a game since he moved in. There's been nothing but cursing coming from that bedroom every Sunday. In fact, we mutually agreed not to talk about their latest 42-10 flop to Minnesota on Sunday.
I've not talked to my dad since before that game... wondering if he's still claiming I should be getting Super Bowl tickets?
Anyone who's even a remote football fan knows that the Lions have been underachieving for half a century. But this pre-season claimed things would be different. And through eight games, with a record of 6-2, you have to admit, we were actually suckered in.
Did I jinx? I was in Taylor for the PBA the week they hit 6-2, and I mumbled to myself the same words my mother always would: "There's still time to screw it up."
The power of reverse prayer, I call it. Can you name one good thing going on this team other than Jason Hanson... again?
When your team is either way ahead or way behind, don't you pull some of your starters? (I don't say "stars" because the Lions have none.) Don't you just say "heck with it" and see what the bench-warmers can do?
I only appreciate QB Jon Kitna because he enabled us to get rid of Joey Harrington. He is a gamer. But he has no talent. With my bad hip, I could still be competitive with him in a 50-yard dash. The Lions haven't had a scrambler for a QB since Mike McMahon a few years ago. He would have had plenty of chances to show his scrambling ability if he had the defensive line the Lions currently have. And the point is, they keep him in there even if he's had a laundry list of faults in that game.
Our defensive line is pretty big in size. Why then do I hear, at least once a week, that one of them are "tossed around like rag dolls" en route to a sack?
As little as the Lions like to run the football, I give credit to the opposing defenses for snuffing the run during the two or three times the Lions attempt it per game. The most wide receivers the Lions have had out there in any one play is five. The running game adds at least five or six wrinkles to any offensive play depending on who's running it, and what formation is put together.
This is too simple for the opposition to resist: Double-coverage on each receiver, leave the backfield empty of half-back defenders, blitz the QB... three and out, three and out. Tatum Bell, remember him? Running back acquired from Denver... inactive the last six games. Don't think for a second he'd want a second Lions season on his resume.
The blame game is just like before, passed around as often as blame is passed with Lansing legislators. Kitna says the boat isn't full, just like ex-coach Marty Morhinweg said the bar was raised. They use Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson as potential game-breaking receivers... just not in the same game.
Remember this time last year how the media was speculating (and was being scared by) the prospects of offensive coordinator Mike Martz leaving for a head-coaching job? Everyone reported that it would be the worst thing possible; that this offense had a chance, but needed him here to be the teacher?
Now tell me who, outside of owner William Clay Ford, still sticks by him 100%. I'll be waiting and growing old for comments... book it.
We were suckered in. Traditions have a way of continuing no matter the conditions or who's in charge. Further proof is not needed; all you need to do is check the box scores.
Get my Super Bowl tickets, Dad? Only if you can provide the transportation to go 1,000 miles to see the winning team's victory parade. :)
A Detroit Lions poster.
So I have a big Lions fan on premises. How ironic it is that they haven't won a game since he moved in. There's been nothing but cursing coming from that bedroom every Sunday. In fact, we mutually agreed not to talk about their latest 42-10 flop to Minnesota on Sunday.
I've not talked to my dad since before that game... wondering if he's still claiming I should be getting Super Bowl tickets?
Anyone who's even a remote football fan knows that the Lions have been underachieving for half a century. But this pre-season claimed things would be different. And through eight games, with a record of 6-2, you have to admit, we were actually suckered in.
Did I jinx? I was in Taylor for the PBA the week they hit 6-2, and I mumbled to myself the same words my mother always would: "There's still time to screw it up."
The power of reverse prayer, I call it. Can you name one good thing going on this team other than Jason Hanson... again?
When your team is either way ahead or way behind, don't you pull some of your starters? (I don't say "stars" because the Lions have none.) Don't you just say "heck with it" and see what the bench-warmers can do?
I only appreciate QB Jon Kitna because he enabled us to get rid of Joey Harrington. He is a gamer. But he has no talent. With my bad hip, I could still be competitive with him in a 50-yard dash. The Lions haven't had a scrambler for a QB since Mike McMahon a few years ago. He would have had plenty of chances to show his scrambling ability if he had the defensive line the Lions currently have. And the point is, they keep him in there even if he's had a laundry list of faults in that game.
Our defensive line is pretty big in size. Why then do I hear, at least once a week, that one of them are "tossed around like rag dolls" en route to a sack?
As little as the Lions like to run the football, I give credit to the opposing defenses for snuffing the run during the two or three times the Lions attempt it per game. The most wide receivers the Lions have had out there in any one play is five. The running game adds at least five or six wrinkles to any offensive play depending on who's running it, and what formation is put together.
This is too simple for the opposition to resist: Double-coverage on each receiver, leave the backfield empty of half-back defenders, blitz the QB... three and out, three and out. Tatum Bell, remember him? Running back acquired from Denver... inactive the last six games. Don't think for a second he'd want a second Lions season on his resume.
The blame game is just like before, passed around as often as blame is passed with Lansing legislators. Kitna says the boat isn't full, just like ex-coach Marty Morhinweg said the bar was raised. They use Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson as potential game-breaking receivers... just not in the same game.
Remember this time last year how the media was speculating (and was being scared by) the prospects of offensive coordinator Mike Martz leaving for a head-coaching job? Everyone reported that it would be the worst thing possible; that this offense had a chance, but needed him here to be the teacher?
Now tell me who, outside of owner William Clay Ford, still sticks by him 100%. I'll be waiting and growing old for comments... book it.
We were suckered in. Traditions have a way of continuing no matter the conditions or who's in charge. Further proof is not needed; all you need to do is check the box scores.
Get my Super Bowl tickets, Dad? Only if you can provide the transportation to go 1,000 miles to see the winning team's victory parade. :)
December 2, 2007
Playing break-even percentages
"Katie, bar the door"... so that Steve doesn't come back in.
Would an international marriage survive more than a few years with botched plans like Steve's have been? You'd need a pencil & white-out to figure out his itinerary.
He left for the Phillipines today, supposedly. His leave was delayed in the first place because he says he's too big to sit in an aircraft's coach for 18 hours. I say c'mon... if you haven't seen your wife in three months, and get a two-week window to go down there, I say LIVE with the discomfort. I warned him that things would get very dicey in a hurry if he had missed that flight.
So what happens? The date is pushed off again because of a typhoon threatening the area. Not his fault, obviously. But as always happens when his travel plans turn last-minute, Northwest screws him out of preferred seating.
I drove him to the airport (ugh, me driving on an off-day) yesterday and thought: at last, peace & quiet... he shows up at the door again eight hours later... landing gear problem on the plane. How much more scheduling woes will he be able to handle? How much will his wife be able to handle? And how much of his yakking must I endure?
He actually just left a message now - apparently everything is okay. But due to the various nature of things, a two-week trip to the Phillipines will turn into as little as five days.
There's something to be said for preparation. There's also something being said about either proving or disproving the notion that long-distance relationships don't work. This one is as distant geographically as you can get. I will admire the two of them if they stick together through all this mess, which happens quite regularly.
And I would be amiss to not share a photo of the two of them... actually, two:
Would an international marriage survive more than a few years with botched plans like Steve's have been? You'd need a pencil & white-out to figure out his itinerary.
He left for the Phillipines today, supposedly. His leave was delayed in the first place because he says he's too big to sit in an aircraft's coach for 18 hours. I say c'mon... if you haven't seen your wife in three months, and get a two-week window to go down there, I say LIVE with the discomfort. I warned him that things would get very dicey in a hurry if he had missed that flight.
So what happens? The date is pushed off again because of a typhoon threatening the area. Not his fault, obviously. But as always happens when his travel plans turn last-minute, Northwest screws him out of preferred seating.
I drove him to the airport (ugh, me driving on an off-day) yesterday and thought: at last, peace & quiet... he shows up at the door again eight hours later... landing gear problem on the plane. How much more scheduling woes will he be able to handle? How much will his wife be able to handle? And how much of his yakking must I endure?
He actually just left a message now - apparently everything is okay. But due to the various nature of things, a two-week trip to the Phillipines will turn into as little as five days.
There's something to be said for preparation. There's also something being said about either proving or disproving the notion that long-distance relationships don't work. This one is as distant geographically as you can get. I will admire the two of them if they stick together through all this mess, which happens quite regularly.
And I would be amiss to not share a photo of the two of them... actually, two:
I've heard of "blended seasons", but...
You tell me something's not quite right with these two photos:
The one at the left was taken across from City Hall, of all places. You might say it's an early snow for Michigan, but actually our first measurable snowfall of the season came about a week later than usual; we normally get it around Thanksgiving. What the heck are leaves doing in the middle of snow? Remember: leaf collections are over for the year.
This is going to make for a very interesting winter season. Never has it taken so long for leaves to fall. This fact actually made the front page of the Free Press about three weeks back. This photo was taken right after the previous one. Can you believe that the leaves on the bottom of the tree haven't even changed color yet?
And, since the camera is finally fixed, allow me to show you visual proof of what I wrote in the blog last year about one certain house simply going overkill on Christmas decorations. Here it is:
Just how many lawn ornaments can one lawn hold? Or has there been an eviction sale at this house?
If my father is reading this, I know what he'll think: "Son, remember when you, your mom and I went down 11th Street (in Wyandotte) every year and saw that whole block done up?"
Yes Dad, I remember. But the point was, that was stretched out over the whole block; eight houses. And it was in the day before all those stupid inflatable lawn ornaments. And also in the day before cities became politically correct and didn't want symbols of the true meaning of Christmas to show up in public.
The commercial icons all in a row are simply disturbing. Now watch this house win the city's decorating contest later this month! Figures, doesn't it?
December 1, 2007
Best Buy carries miracles
Okay, you can go ahead and question the means of my acquiring my digital camera last year. A co-worker at the airport had it given to him by his son who worked at Northwest; found it on the plane. No one claimed it, so he sold it to me for $50.
It lasted precisely one month before the battery gave out. It was a special battery that had to be purchased for a huge price. At this rate, I was wishing Steve didn't break my traditional AA-battery camera two years ago in the Phillipines. So it sat dormant for 18 months.
After getting swiftly kicked in the rear at work the last few days, which did result in three straight $100 cash days, I finally went to Best Buy, just hoping that I wouldn't get laughed at for having more outdated technology. Surprise! Not only did they have another battery, they had a charger for the brand. So as of tomorrow morning, I will have two fresh batteries, and the pictures, as you've seen above, will just keep on coming.
It's hard to believe that someone who puts so much stock into photo albums holding family history can go nearly six years with only thirty photos taken. That's what's happened, up to now. Best Buys obviously sells miracles!
But tell me about the turnover in technology regardless: I bought the house phone earlier this year... their computer didn't have any record of the battery model from just this year! The salesman said I had an outdated phone. I walked over to the display rack and showed him that very same model they were still selling!
Best Buy also sells migraine headaches, I guess.
-----------------------------
And an unfortunate inner tradition continues with calendars: I buy a wall calendar every year, and the first thing I do is write in everyone's birthdays. I made a few mistakes in getting dates right in 2007, but every year it seems like I fudge up cousin Jeffrey's birthday, by either putting him in the wrong week, putting someone else on his date, or having that entry become the lone smudge because I can't spell names right.
It happened again: the date and name were right, but the blue highlighter I used to highlight birthdays smudged once: at Jeffrey's birthday. Perhaps my luck can change if I promise him a Rolls Royce in theory...
Jeff & Sheila are supposed to be in town at Raymond's Sunday, according to Rose. I've been wanting to go, especially with my "new" camera, but looks like the weather's going to be slop. I'm the most far-out-of-the-way relative, and I know they'll understand my reluctance to drive in that weather.
It lasted precisely one month before the battery gave out. It was a special battery that had to be purchased for a huge price. At this rate, I was wishing Steve didn't break my traditional AA-battery camera two years ago in the Phillipines. So it sat dormant for 18 months.
After getting swiftly kicked in the rear at work the last few days, which did result in three straight $100 cash days, I finally went to Best Buy, just hoping that I wouldn't get laughed at for having more outdated technology. Surprise! Not only did they have another battery, they had a charger for the brand. So as of tomorrow morning, I will have two fresh batteries, and the pictures, as you've seen above, will just keep on coming.
It's hard to believe that someone who puts so much stock into photo albums holding family history can go nearly six years with only thirty photos taken. That's what's happened, up to now. Best Buys obviously sells miracles!
But tell me about the turnover in technology regardless: I bought the house phone earlier this year... their computer didn't have any record of the battery model from just this year! The salesman said I had an outdated phone. I walked over to the display rack and showed him that very same model they were still selling!
Best Buy also sells migraine headaches, I guess.
-----------------------------
And an unfortunate inner tradition continues with calendars: I buy a wall calendar every year, and the first thing I do is write in everyone's birthdays. I made a few mistakes in getting dates right in 2007, but every year it seems like I fudge up cousin Jeffrey's birthday, by either putting him in the wrong week, putting someone else on his date, or having that entry become the lone smudge because I can't spell names right.
It happened again: the date and name were right, but the blue highlighter I used to highlight birthdays smudged once: at Jeffrey's birthday. Perhaps my luck can change if I promise him a Rolls Royce in theory...
Jeff & Sheila are supposed to be in town at Raymond's Sunday, according to Rose. I've been wanting to go, especially with my "new" camera, but looks like the weather's going to be slop. I'm the most far-out-of-the-way relative, and I know they'll understand my reluctance to drive in that weather.
November 24, 2007
Fifty-eight percent said what?
A FOX News survey shown just now on the channel asked participants: "Is the country better off now than it was twenty years ago"?
A shocking (to me) 58% of the respondants said that it was. Just 38% said the country was worse than in 1987.
Let's see, what did we have in 1987? President Ronald Reagan underwent prostate surgery, and then got embroiled in the arms-for-hostages deal... Senator Gary Hart's involvement with Donna Rice became headlines... Reagan tells Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall... Northwest Flight 255 crashes in Detroit (mechanical failure, not terrorism)... Black Monday hits Wall Street in October... and yes, we did have the bombing of the USS Stark in the middle of the Iran/Iraq war, but we were basically offering assistance, not caught in the middle of things.
In 1987, were we into our fourth year of being buried in Iraq? Did we have a president who made consistent boneheaded decision after boneheaded decision? Did we have national headlines just because Michigan wanted to move up its presidential primary date? Was the security of the country in question? Was the United States embroiled in every matter in the Middle East? Were gas prices above $3 per gallon?
How can it be said that we are better off?
-------------------------------------------
At least the household things are better off today: budgeting is done, laundry is done, the car is fixed (it had no heat for a couple days), and Steve is actually using a car to get some running done at his sister's house.
* I'm worried about Jenni: we haven't talked much lately and she is under undue stress. I am hoping she calls soon. A conversation would be good therapy even if I didn't deem it the necessity it is. It's not good to bottle frustration up. We'll have to work on it.
* Garden City has its Santa parade today and the municipal channel is covering it live over cable. Boy was I tempted to walk over there and talk to some of them about possibly getting back into TV again. Alas, even if hired on-the-spot, what would that result in? I just tuned in the channel and it's scrambled more than a pay-per-view channel is! So much for any hope of a video resume begun, even in the best-case scenario.
* Thanksgiving at work was super-busy; I booked more than I do in an average day. What was more surprising was yesterday: only one run in 12 hours involved bringing Christmas packages, etc., home from a store. The parking lots were crowded, but the roads were relatively smooth.
That's unlike how I remember most of the shopping days after Thanksgiving. I'll be unbiased and call it "Super Friday". When did the term "Black Friday" become vogue? "Black Friday" has racial undertones... if not that, "Black" days, I thought, always referred to bad stock market days. A better term for the day would be nice.
A shocking (to me) 58% of the respondants said that it was. Just 38% said the country was worse than in 1987.
Let's see, what did we have in 1987? President Ronald Reagan underwent prostate surgery, and then got embroiled in the arms-for-hostages deal... Senator Gary Hart's involvement with Donna Rice became headlines... Reagan tells Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall... Northwest Flight 255 crashes in Detroit (mechanical failure, not terrorism)... Black Monday hits Wall Street in October... and yes, we did have the bombing of the USS Stark in the middle of the Iran/Iraq war, but we were basically offering assistance, not caught in the middle of things.
In 1987, were we into our fourth year of being buried in Iraq? Did we have a president who made consistent boneheaded decision after boneheaded decision? Did we have national headlines just because Michigan wanted to move up its presidential primary date? Was the security of the country in question? Was the United States embroiled in every matter in the Middle East? Were gas prices above $3 per gallon?
How can it be said that we are better off?
-------------------------------------------
At least the household things are better off today: budgeting is done, laundry is done, the car is fixed (it had no heat for a couple days), and Steve is actually using a car to get some running done at his sister's house.
* I'm worried about Jenni: we haven't talked much lately and she is under undue stress. I am hoping she calls soon. A conversation would be good therapy even if I didn't deem it the necessity it is. It's not good to bottle frustration up. We'll have to work on it.
* Garden City has its Santa parade today and the municipal channel is covering it live over cable. Boy was I tempted to walk over there and talk to some of them about possibly getting back into TV again. Alas, even if hired on-the-spot, what would that result in? I just tuned in the channel and it's scrambled more than a pay-per-view channel is! So much for any hope of a video resume begun, even in the best-case scenario.
* Thanksgiving at work was super-busy; I booked more than I do in an average day. What was more surprising was yesterday: only one run in 12 hours involved bringing Christmas packages, etc., home from a store. The parking lots were crowded, but the roads were relatively smooth.
That's unlike how I remember most of the shopping days after Thanksgiving. I'll be unbiased and call it "Super Friday". When did the term "Black Friday" become vogue? "Black Friday" has racial undertones... if not that, "Black" days, I thought, always referred to bad stock market days. A better term for the day would be nice.
November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm preposting this to wish everyone a happy turkey day.
It just seems strange that we're going to be treated to all the works today, while looking around and still seeing some trees with green leaves on them. Plus a 60-degree day yesterday, complete with snow forecast for later today. Michigan weather is MORE than living up to its name this year.
My father and stepmom are heading to California to spend a week over there. I hope they have a wonderful and safe trip.
Jenni is expecting a true houseful today, and she gets to do all the cooking with no help from anyone else. She sighs and accepts this, and that's a shame. She needs all the help she can get and I hope she delegates some tasks today. I would offer my assistance in a heartbeat, but if you check out last year's Thanksgiving entry to look at my horror stories, you'll see why I retired the baster.
I volunteered to work today, anyway, even though we're not expecting anywhere near the chaos we had yesterday. Part of it is because I'm so used to working holidays, coming off six years at the airport, that it seems to be a natural gut reaction.
I would actually prefer working holidays than working regular days. On holidays, you can't get much business conducted. I'd rather have an off-day where I can use "regular business hours" to get everything done. And Lord knows, there's a lot that needs to get done on my plate.
Every party has a pooper, my mother would always say... that's why they invited me.
But the "pooper" will stay with me. My best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving go to all of you, and stay with you as well. Enjoy!
It just seems strange that we're going to be treated to all the works today, while looking around and still seeing some trees with green leaves on them. Plus a 60-degree day yesterday, complete with snow forecast for later today. Michigan weather is MORE than living up to its name this year.
My father and stepmom are heading to California to spend a week over there. I hope they have a wonderful and safe trip.
Jenni is expecting a true houseful today, and she gets to do all the cooking with no help from anyone else. She sighs and accepts this, and that's a shame. She needs all the help she can get and I hope she delegates some tasks today. I would offer my assistance in a heartbeat, but if you check out last year's Thanksgiving entry to look at my horror stories, you'll see why I retired the baster.
I volunteered to work today, anyway, even though we're not expecting anywhere near the chaos we had yesterday. Part of it is because I'm so used to working holidays, coming off six years at the airport, that it seems to be a natural gut reaction.
I would actually prefer working holidays than working regular days. On holidays, you can't get much business conducted. I'd rather have an off-day where I can use "regular business hours" to get everything done. And Lord knows, there's a lot that needs to get done on my plate.
Every party has a pooper, my mother would always say... that's why they invited me.
But the "pooper" will stay with me. My best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving go to all of you, and stay with you as well. Enjoy!
November 21, 2007
For a business to move forward
Think "capital improvement" and "basic improvement" as just a start.
When you're a business trying to move up, don't you use these two terms as a goal to improve operations and get more business?
I'm not out to criticize the company I work for. But cab companies abound in this area. We are only one of about five companies that strive and fight for every fare. Every transaction we earn is just that: we earn it. But shouldn't we show quality behind the transaction?
It's no wonder we let our mechanic go this week. Personally, the guy was a goof from the word go, even working on his own car on company time before working on the cabs that make the business and earn the paychecks.
One of our newest cars had to be disabled twice this week due to bad ball joints. The SAME one both times. It was fixed, and then the fix had to be fixed. A trained mechanic would have fixed it right the first time. So that's one cab off the road.
My cab was disabled last week for four hours to get new brake pads. Only half an hour was spent doing actual work. Apparently, it took him 2 1/2 hours to isolate the problem. Then another hour at the store trying to figure out what part he needed. Was I steamed? Kinda... it was my potential money I was losing just sitting at the office.
Today, four cabs out of a fleet of ten weren't running. I had to make a 2-hour, 70-mile run to Troy to pick up a fare and a driver who were stranded due to a bad - surprise - ball joint problem. It's fixed now by a different mechanic, but who knows when the problem will crop up again? After all, I'm hearing a thumping noise when my cab travels now, and the cab wants to veer right if I do anything beyond just tapping the brakes.
At the risk of having five cabs out of service, I decided to press on. I made good money. I also had to do the work of three drivers. Sound familiar?
The need is there for good, reliable service. I hope in the future that we can deliver like I'm sure the owner wants us to.
* What good is there left to say about Inkster? I was threatened with a $500 summons for trying to pick up fares there today. We service every community in the county. We do not need a license to pick up anywhere except at the airport. That's why we are classified as a limo service, not a cab service. Trying to explain this to the guy only got me another threat of $500, so I let it go at that.
If they don't want us, why don't they just tell us? Oh wait, they already did. They do have their own company, located two miles from my house. But they couldn't service me because I was "too far" from their target area.
And Inkster says they're recovering? Sounds like another "R" word is in effect there... as in "relapse".
When you're a business trying to move up, don't you use these two terms as a goal to improve operations and get more business?
I'm not out to criticize the company I work for. But cab companies abound in this area. We are only one of about five companies that strive and fight for every fare. Every transaction we earn is just that: we earn it. But shouldn't we show quality behind the transaction?
It's no wonder we let our mechanic go this week. Personally, the guy was a goof from the word go, even working on his own car on company time before working on the cabs that make the business and earn the paychecks.
One of our newest cars had to be disabled twice this week due to bad ball joints. The SAME one both times. It was fixed, and then the fix had to be fixed. A trained mechanic would have fixed it right the first time. So that's one cab off the road.
My cab was disabled last week for four hours to get new brake pads. Only half an hour was spent doing actual work. Apparently, it took him 2 1/2 hours to isolate the problem. Then another hour at the store trying to figure out what part he needed. Was I steamed? Kinda... it was my potential money I was losing just sitting at the office.
Today, four cabs out of a fleet of ten weren't running. I had to make a 2-hour, 70-mile run to Troy to pick up a fare and a driver who were stranded due to a bad - surprise - ball joint problem. It's fixed now by a different mechanic, but who knows when the problem will crop up again? After all, I'm hearing a thumping noise when my cab travels now, and the cab wants to veer right if I do anything beyond just tapping the brakes.
At the risk of having five cabs out of service, I decided to press on. I made good money. I also had to do the work of three drivers. Sound familiar?
The need is there for good, reliable service. I hope in the future that we can deliver like I'm sure the owner wants us to.
* What good is there left to say about Inkster? I was threatened with a $500 summons for trying to pick up fares there today. We service every community in the county. We do not need a license to pick up anywhere except at the airport. That's why we are classified as a limo service, not a cab service. Trying to explain this to the guy only got me another threat of $500, so I let it go at that.
If they don't want us, why don't they just tell us? Oh wait, they already did. They do have their own company, located two miles from my house. But they couldn't service me because I was "too far" from their target area.
And Inkster says they're recovering? Sounds like another "R" word is in effect there... as in "relapse".
November 20, 2007
De-sensitizing
There was a fatal shooting earlier today at the Coney Island in Lincoln Park, where former roommate Mike and his mother often dined. The head cook, as well as the owner, may have been the unfortunate victims.
I found out some of the details from one of my fares today. Apparently, a man dressed in a trenchcoat pulled out an AK-47 and shot the people for no reason... also injuring a waitress during the skirmish. One of the customers caught in between the crossfire actually made his way out of there and went down the street to another restaurant. Out of breath, he tried to tell people there had been a shooting at the Coney Island.
He wasn't believed. And as a result, help did not arrive at the Coney sooner than it ended up being.
Are people desensitized by these events due to the environment around them? Or have people become a society of liars, to where the punchline to the "boy who cried wolf" story is retold? The trust is evidentally gone in society. Trust in safety is totally gone, as patrons around that area now can't feel comfortable patronzing the Coney, or any other restaurant in that area. Supposedly, the crackpot is still on the loose.
But what if these two lives could have been saved, if someone in the other restaurant had sent for help upon hearing the news? They wouldn't be persecuted if it was a false alarm. False alarms happen constantly. But could they have saved lives with quick thinking?
It's possible. It's not definite, because the incident is still under investigation. But you always have to wonder about the possibilities of any situation.
Years ago, this would probably have illicited more response. Just as car alarms would have done when they first came out. Now you hear the alarms everywhere, and do you see people running for them to try to catch any potential vandal or burglar? Not a chance. Even I just shrug the alarms off as an everyday sound effect, ranking up there with the birds.
Perhaps it's just another sign of the times, times which seem to be growing more violent and spreading from the city core. But it just doesn't seem right to me to have people's lives fall under such a general term as "sign of the times".
I thought each individual was worth more than that.
I found out some of the details from one of my fares today. Apparently, a man dressed in a trenchcoat pulled out an AK-47 and shot the people for no reason... also injuring a waitress during the skirmish. One of the customers caught in between the crossfire actually made his way out of there and went down the street to another restaurant. Out of breath, he tried to tell people there had been a shooting at the Coney Island.
He wasn't believed. And as a result, help did not arrive at the Coney sooner than it ended up being.
Are people desensitized by these events due to the environment around them? Or have people become a society of liars, to where the punchline to the "boy who cried wolf" story is retold? The trust is evidentally gone in society. Trust in safety is totally gone, as patrons around that area now can't feel comfortable patronzing the Coney, or any other restaurant in that area. Supposedly, the crackpot is still on the loose.
But what if these two lives could have been saved, if someone in the other restaurant had sent for help upon hearing the news? They wouldn't be persecuted if it was a false alarm. False alarms happen constantly. But could they have saved lives with quick thinking?
It's possible. It's not definite, because the incident is still under investigation. But you always have to wonder about the possibilities of any situation.
Years ago, this would probably have illicited more response. Just as car alarms would have done when they first came out. Now you hear the alarms everywhere, and do you see people running for them to try to catch any potential vandal or burglar? Not a chance. Even I just shrug the alarms off as an everyday sound effect, ranking up there with the birds.
Perhaps it's just another sign of the times, times which seem to be growing more violent and spreading from the city core. But it just doesn't seem right to me to have people's lives fall under such a general term as "sign of the times".
I thought each individual was worth more than that.
November 19, 2007
How much more proof is needed?
A-ha! Could've told you so.
Barry Bonds has been indicted by the authorities, apparently due to lying and obstructing justice in this baseball steroids scandal. Also, it's becoming apparent that his personal trainer (Greg Johnson, I believe), recently released from prison in the hopes he would testify against Bonds, is going back to the slammer because he still refuses to testify against his "friend".
Do you need any more proof of guilt? They're trying to hide what's ending up being obvious fact, transparently!
As Bonds was chasing the home run record this summer, the issue annoyed me so much that, yes, I finally decided to do my own video on YouTube about it. Being the kind person that I am, I decided to cut Bonds some slack and tell both sides of the story: the way he would look at it, and the way the public in general is looking at it.
Well, no one can accuse me of not at least trying to be fair. But being fair in this case was only courteous lip service. When you have this so-called superstar who brings negative public relations upon himself, and suddenly finds himself a free agent who absolutely nobody wants (and nobody would cheer), there's a problem.
Johnson, meanwhile, is facing a third term in prison for not opening his mouth when he should. This man does not know the meaning of the word "cooperation" and deserves the time in prison. He's causing as much of a distraction and is impeding justice as badly as Bonds is.
The question remains, as far as the home run record is concerned: keep it as truth, place an asterisk by it, or eliminate it entirely? Don't scoff when I say it should be eliminated entirely.
Done scoffing?
I base it solely on the following:
1. If you can ban Pete Rose for simple gambling and never have him in the Hall Of Fame, why NOT punish Bonds for something more serious? Gambling is a weakness, but remember, it's not illegal. What he did is as legal as one of us buying a lottery ticket.
2. Remember the Chris Webber / Ed Martin / University of Michigan story? Remember the end result? U of M had all their basketball stats from that period literally wiped clean. Now, literally no mention of all the success the Fab Five had during that juncture. Was there a backlash against the university? Nothing major that I can recall, or at least that made headlines in the news. Heck, Martin died a couple of years ago, and the local sports pages reported it as just a blip on the radar.
Baseball is enjoying record success, as reported by Bud Selig. This is happening in spite of the Bonds sideshow. It may not taint the game itself, but it will taint Selig's tenure (not that it hasn't been already), and fans' fascination with stats and records.
Bonds, to this point, is just one huge "K" for the game.
-----------------------------------
(The above would normally have been posted on my baseball blog... but I'm saving that for real news-worthy events, if you catch the drift.)
Barry Bonds has been indicted by the authorities, apparently due to lying and obstructing justice in this baseball steroids scandal. Also, it's becoming apparent that his personal trainer (Greg Johnson, I believe), recently released from prison in the hopes he would testify against Bonds, is going back to the slammer because he still refuses to testify against his "friend".
Do you need any more proof of guilt? They're trying to hide what's ending up being obvious fact, transparently!
As Bonds was chasing the home run record this summer, the issue annoyed me so much that, yes, I finally decided to do my own video on YouTube about it. Being the kind person that I am, I decided to cut Bonds some slack and tell both sides of the story: the way he would look at it, and the way the public in general is looking at it.
Well, no one can accuse me of not at least trying to be fair. But being fair in this case was only courteous lip service. When you have this so-called superstar who brings negative public relations upon himself, and suddenly finds himself a free agent who absolutely nobody wants (and nobody would cheer), there's a problem.
Johnson, meanwhile, is facing a third term in prison for not opening his mouth when he should. This man does not know the meaning of the word "cooperation" and deserves the time in prison. He's causing as much of a distraction and is impeding justice as badly as Bonds is.
The question remains, as far as the home run record is concerned: keep it as truth, place an asterisk by it, or eliminate it entirely? Don't scoff when I say it should be eliminated entirely.
Done scoffing?
I base it solely on the following:
1. If you can ban Pete Rose for simple gambling and never have him in the Hall Of Fame, why NOT punish Bonds for something more serious? Gambling is a weakness, but remember, it's not illegal. What he did is as legal as one of us buying a lottery ticket.
2. Remember the Chris Webber / Ed Martin / University of Michigan story? Remember the end result? U of M had all their basketball stats from that period literally wiped clean. Now, literally no mention of all the success the Fab Five had during that juncture. Was there a backlash against the university? Nothing major that I can recall, or at least that made headlines in the news. Heck, Martin died a couple of years ago, and the local sports pages reported it as just a blip on the radar.
Baseball is enjoying record success, as reported by Bud Selig. This is happening in spite of the Bonds sideshow. It may not taint the game itself, but it will taint Selig's tenure (not that it hasn't been already), and fans' fascination with stats and records.
Bonds, to this point, is just one huge "K" for the game.
-----------------------------------
(The above would normally have been posted on my baseball blog... but I'm saving that for real news-worthy events, if you catch the drift.)
November 18, 2007
In 2017, will we know more?
It's four days before the 44th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination.
Even the die-hard assassination buffs who feverishly pursue this case will admit, after this time lapse, that we will never know the truth about how events unfolded that tragic day. That is the lure of the mystery and makes it even more interesting to research.
Thumbing through the Wikipedia entry on the Warren Commission, which oversaw the initial investigation into the crime, there was one thing I don't understand... Though over 90% of the assassination material is now in the public domain, it is stated that:
"The remaining Kennedy assassination related documents are scheduled to be released to the public by 2017, twenty-five years after the passage of the JFK Records Act."
How is this possible, given the advent of the Freedom Of Information Act?
It's true that one may ask what the big deal is... that if we know basically all we're going to know, what's the last bit of sealed information going to tell people?
I don't know much about official document declassification and how the process works. But wouldn't the public interest be served better if all the information were out there? Think about this: it's been 44 years since the tragedy. Most of the witnesses are getting on in age, if not deceased. Many of the prime players were actually done away with in the first fifteen years afterward.
Who's left around to challenge and say that this information should still be covered up until 2017?
The delay of the information release obviously meant a lot more in the 1970s than today. This gave the public its first concrete evidence that something was going on in government that officials didn't want to address. It's gone on for 44 years now and the research has passed on to a second generation.
The impression I get is that there are still those reluctant to share the information. Unlikely as it may be, what if that remaining 2% of information actually contains the golden nugget that finally puts the mystery to rest? It's possible the answer has actually been hidden for 44 years.
And then, the only question is: why? Why keep the public puzzled? Why keep their own government puzzled?
If indeed this was the intended reason, then it's done a great dis-service; not only to the researchers, but to the remaining Kennedy family and those that came before them.
JFK truly cared about the American people. It would be an utter shame for him if he ever knew of a blatant coverup that has lasted this long.
Even the die-hard assassination buffs who feverishly pursue this case will admit, after this time lapse, that we will never know the truth about how events unfolded that tragic day. That is the lure of the mystery and makes it even more interesting to research.
Thumbing through the Wikipedia entry on the Warren Commission, which oversaw the initial investigation into the crime, there was one thing I don't understand... Though over 90% of the assassination material is now in the public domain, it is stated that:
"The remaining Kennedy assassination related documents are scheduled to be released to the public by 2017, twenty-five years after the passage of the JFK Records Act."
How is this possible, given the advent of the Freedom Of Information Act?
It's true that one may ask what the big deal is... that if we know basically all we're going to know, what's the last bit of sealed information going to tell people?
I don't know much about official document declassification and how the process works. But wouldn't the public interest be served better if all the information were out there? Think about this: it's been 44 years since the tragedy. Most of the witnesses are getting on in age, if not deceased. Many of the prime players were actually done away with in the first fifteen years afterward.
Who's left around to challenge and say that this information should still be covered up until 2017?
The delay of the information release obviously meant a lot more in the 1970s than today. This gave the public its first concrete evidence that something was going on in government that officials didn't want to address. It's gone on for 44 years now and the research has passed on to a second generation.
The impression I get is that there are still those reluctant to share the information. Unlikely as it may be, what if that remaining 2% of information actually contains the golden nugget that finally puts the mystery to rest? It's possible the answer has actually been hidden for 44 years.
And then, the only question is: why? Why keep the public puzzled? Why keep their own government puzzled?
If indeed this was the intended reason, then it's done a great dis-service; not only to the researchers, but to the remaining Kennedy family and those that came before them.
JFK truly cared about the American people. It would be an utter shame for him if he ever knew of a blatant coverup that has lasted this long.
November 17, 2007
We're killing ourselves for petro
... literally, as happened in Detroit yesterday.
This takes the term "killer competition" to a whole new level. And this time, it's not an "only in Detroit" thing -- it's a nationwide problem.
(You can read the story here.)
So we'd lose some of our unlimited access to corn so that ethanol can be produced. So what? Ethanol can't come quick enough.
And speaking of autos and ethanol in general, why are car companies so reluctant to begin building cars that meet the fuel standards that the government wants to require? What's wrong with a 40 miles-per-gallon mandate in the next few years?
We all know that SUVs have taken a huge hit, and we know auto companies want consumers to buy more of them (and cars in general) to help out our economy. They would certainly be more appealing to consumers if something were done to increase fuel standards and help the consumer's pocketbook in the long run.
This takes the term "killer competition" to a whole new level. And this time, it's not an "only in Detroit" thing -- it's a nationwide problem.
(You can read the story here.)
So we'd lose some of our unlimited access to corn so that ethanol can be produced. So what? Ethanol can't come quick enough.
And speaking of autos and ethanol in general, why are car companies so reluctant to begin building cars that meet the fuel standards that the government wants to require? What's wrong with a 40 miles-per-gallon mandate in the next few years?
We all know that SUVs have taken a huge hit, and we know auto companies want consumers to buy more of them (and cars in general) to help out our economy. They would certainly be more appealing to consumers if something were done to increase fuel standards and help the consumer's pocketbook in the long run.
November 15, 2007
Single-sided or double-sided?
That was the question that brought in all the dough for me yesterday.
I had my best earnings day at the cab job yesterday thanks to two round-trips I made between Taylor and Ypsilanti. A truck driver received a rather new truck, minus keys. Why it had no keys, I have no idea. Being a regular person, I should have suggested they change the locks on the truck; if the former driver was disgruntled, he probably kept the keys in order to exact revenge on the truck later.
But being a cab driver overruled me being a regular person, and I kept my mouth shut. Good thing.
Talk about flimsy computer records: the computer said the truck took a double-sided key; the code book said a single-sided key. Being a regular person, I should have suggested he have both types cut.
But again, being a cab driver overruled me being the regular person, and I kept my mouth shut. Another good thing. It ended up being a $100 run, which enabled me to gross enough to pay off one bill of mine entirely.
Where am I getting knowledge about trucks anyway?
* George has proven to be a good fit so far at the house. He's like me the past eighteen or so months: a hermit around here. Self-proclaimed, so he's telling the truth. Steve and him get along, at least so far. I haven't had the courage to tell him that Steve uses up all the hot air around the house.
Steve had to take the bedroom adjoining mine again, like it was when we moved here. I had to wear industrial earplugs the last time because Steve's chronic cough kept me awake all night. The landlord couldn't sound-proof the room, so I had no choice. When Mike moved out, Steve switched to the front bedroom, which allowed me to sleep normally.
In the time between then and now, Steve's budget has him smoking those stupid little $1 cigars. As a result, his cough has gotten much worse in time. It's likely the couch for me tonight. He'll ridicule me for the choice, but deep down I know he'll understand, just like before.
* When my mini-van was broken into in Detroit in 1999, the thief took all my cassette tapes. Included in them was a tape made when I was three years old, with old Sesame Street songs in the background. On YouTube yesterday, I unearthed an old Ernie & Bert song called "La La La La...." about the letter "L" that I enjoyed at that age.
The damn song's been on my mind all day, and unlike hearing it on that classic cassette, it's annoying me to all hell today.
* And, talk about late updates, I never mentioned: Nick (Jenni's middle son) is off the eye patch, and his vision is almost 20-20; thank goodness. Basic treatment corrected his vision problem. He's also done well in math lately, getting a 100% on his latest test after he kept saying he failed. Jenni's been very concerned about his progress over the past couple years, but this week has given her relief. And I'm very happy for the both of them.
Jenni & I haven't seen much of each other recently thanks to events popping up on both ends. But we know each other to the point that we accept it, brutal as it may be, and we tend to what's on our individual plates before starting a shared one of our own.
Just another of the many reasons why this relationship has so much more potential than the others put together: simple acceptance.
I had my best earnings day at the cab job yesterday thanks to two round-trips I made between Taylor and Ypsilanti. A truck driver received a rather new truck, minus keys. Why it had no keys, I have no idea. Being a regular person, I should have suggested they change the locks on the truck; if the former driver was disgruntled, he probably kept the keys in order to exact revenge on the truck later.
But being a cab driver overruled me being a regular person, and I kept my mouth shut. Good thing.
Talk about flimsy computer records: the computer said the truck took a double-sided key; the code book said a single-sided key. Being a regular person, I should have suggested he have both types cut.
But again, being a cab driver overruled me being the regular person, and I kept my mouth shut. Another good thing. It ended up being a $100 run, which enabled me to gross enough to pay off one bill of mine entirely.
Where am I getting knowledge about trucks anyway?
* George has proven to be a good fit so far at the house. He's like me the past eighteen or so months: a hermit around here. Self-proclaimed, so he's telling the truth. Steve and him get along, at least so far. I haven't had the courage to tell him that Steve uses up all the hot air around the house.
Steve had to take the bedroom adjoining mine again, like it was when we moved here. I had to wear industrial earplugs the last time because Steve's chronic cough kept me awake all night. The landlord couldn't sound-proof the room, so I had no choice. When Mike moved out, Steve switched to the front bedroom, which allowed me to sleep normally.
In the time between then and now, Steve's budget has him smoking those stupid little $1 cigars. As a result, his cough has gotten much worse in time. It's likely the couch for me tonight. He'll ridicule me for the choice, but deep down I know he'll understand, just like before.
* When my mini-van was broken into in Detroit in 1999, the thief took all my cassette tapes. Included in them was a tape made when I was three years old, with old Sesame Street songs in the background. On YouTube yesterday, I unearthed an old Ernie & Bert song called "La La La La...." about the letter "L" that I enjoyed at that age.
The damn song's been on my mind all day, and unlike hearing it on that classic cassette, it's annoying me to all hell today.
* And, talk about late updates, I never mentioned: Nick (Jenni's middle son) is off the eye patch, and his vision is almost 20-20; thank goodness. Basic treatment corrected his vision problem. He's also done well in math lately, getting a 100% on his latest test after he kept saying he failed. Jenni's been very concerned about his progress over the past couple years, but this week has given her relief. And I'm very happy for the both of them.
Jenni & I haven't seen much of each other recently thanks to events popping up on both ends. But we know each other to the point that we accept it, brutal as it may be, and we tend to what's on our individual plates before starting a shared one of our own.
Just another of the many reasons why this relationship has so much more potential than the others put together: simple acceptance.
November 12, 2007
Unsecured eyesores
Could someone please rewind for me the tape of Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's last mayoral campaign speeches?
The particular part I want to hear again is what he said about neighborhood blight. The media is over-reporting about the shacks and burnt-out hulls scattered around every neighborhood, he said. It is not impossible, he added, to be able to get rid of nearly 50% of all dilapidated buildings before the end of his current term.
Did he actually demolish 50%, while leaving the other 50% to fester in areas I drive the cab around? Or did he bury the tape in convenient rubble?
Joy Road east of the Southfield (M-39) freeway is horrendous. Many of the kidney dialysis patients I transport to treatment live there. Across from the gaping field that used to be the Herman Gardens housing complex are two complete blocks of abandoned, burnt-out strip malls.
I've made two trips to Memorial Street, south of West Chicago Rd. in the past two weeks, and I took house inventory. Out of approximately 45 homes in the block, 30 are abandoned or unliveable. And only about 10% of those 30 are actually boarded up to keep the vagrants out. Only about half the aforementioned strip malls are secured in that fashion as well.
And the press made such a big deal about the remains of New Orleans after Katrina. Those bad parts of New Orleans look like an average part of Detroit these days. And don't forget about Inkster, the Detroit suburb I made mention of last week. Everyone knows a chunk of town known as "Little Saigon" for obvious reasons. You automatically forget the fact Inkster is home of the Marvelettes, who only put the Motown music scene in motion by earning the record label its first gold record.
But at least Inkster boards up all its bad buildings. Detroit, on the other hand, is literally unsecured.
The people aren't asking for, and can't expect, 100 demolition companies to come from all parts of the country and take on Detroit for one solid week, although that would be nice. We also can't expect The Home Depot to donate all its plywood to just one city, although if we could do it, they could help...
But are people going too far to simply ask for safer neighborhoods for them and their kids? We have affluent suburbs such as Livonia and Canton. They have their bad parts. But the bad parts are masked and their grounds are made inaccessible to those who wish to trespass.
Detroit recently got news that their latest census figures were actually wrong: the population surged back up above 900,000. What Kwame wants to see is a million, or over.
The surge was due to a numbers fluke, sir... not because you've carried your campaign promise from election time to now.
Downtown is one thing. It does look better. But how much of that cleanup was done thanks to Super Bowl XL locating here?
As a cab driver, it's not my policy to limit myself as to where I pick fares up, and at what time. They don't like me limiting myself, and neither do I. I hate to turn down a run and have management think I'm scared to do the run.
Truth is, I am. It's a scare that I wish I didn't have. A scare I really shouldn't have.
But a scare that's not being dealt with; plain & simple.
The particular part I want to hear again is what he said about neighborhood blight. The media is over-reporting about the shacks and burnt-out hulls scattered around every neighborhood, he said. It is not impossible, he added, to be able to get rid of nearly 50% of all dilapidated buildings before the end of his current term.
Did he actually demolish 50%, while leaving the other 50% to fester in areas I drive the cab around? Or did he bury the tape in convenient rubble?
Joy Road east of the Southfield (M-39) freeway is horrendous. Many of the kidney dialysis patients I transport to treatment live there. Across from the gaping field that used to be the Herman Gardens housing complex are two complete blocks of abandoned, burnt-out strip malls.
I've made two trips to Memorial Street, south of West Chicago Rd. in the past two weeks, and I took house inventory. Out of approximately 45 homes in the block, 30 are abandoned or unliveable. And only about 10% of those 30 are actually boarded up to keep the vagrants out. Only about half the aforementioned strip malls are secured in that fashion as well.
And the press made such a big deal about the remains of New Orleans after Katrina. Those bad parts of New Orleans look like an average part of Detroit these days. And don't forget about Inkster, the Detroit suburb I made mention of last week. Everyone knows a chunk of town known as "Little Saigon" for obvious reasons. You automatically forget the fact Inkster is home of the Marvelettes, who only put the Motown music scene in motion by earning the record label its first gold record.
But at least Inkster boards up all its bad buildings. Detroit, on the other hand, is literally unsecured.
The people aren't asking for, and can't expect, 100 demolition companies to come from all parts of the country and take on Detroit for one solid week, although that would be nice. We also can't expect The Home Depot to donate all its plywood to just one city, although if we could do it, they could help...
But are people going too far to simply ask for safer neighborhoods for them and their kids? We have affluent suburbs such as Livonia and Canton. They have their bad parts. But the bad parts are masked and their grounds are made inaccessible to those who wish to trespass.
Detroit recently got news that their latest census figures were actually wrong: the population surged back up above 900,000. What Kwame wants to see is a million, or over.
The surge was due to a numbers fluke, sir... not because you've carried your campaign promise from election time to now.
Downtown is one thing. It does look better. But how much of that cleanup was done thanks to Super Bowl XL locating here?
As a cab driver, it's not my policy to limit myself as to where I pick fares up, and at what time. They don't like me limiting myself, and neither do I. I hate to turn down a run and have management think I'm scared to do the run.
Truth is, I am. It's a scare that I wish I didn't have. A scare I really shouldn't have.
But a scare that's not being dealt with; plain & simple.
November 11, 2007
The Sunday Pathetics
Finally saved a Sunday paper for the purpose of combing through all the hard-news articles, trying to judge how good or bad this world is. Many friends say they don't even bother watching the news anymore, because it gets worse and worse by the year.
Back in its early days, Superstation TBS had a Sunday morning program called "Good News". Before I actually watched it to find out it was another religious show, I actually thought it was a one-hour time slot of nothing but good news in the world. Judging by some of the news articles, it would be difficult to fill a 15-minute TV time slot per month with any good news that would place faith & hope in humankind from media alone.
* Pakistan and the former Soviet state of Georgia are under emergency rule, with militants at the ready to attack whoever they don't like. Surprise surprise, these people are against our government. Who isn't these days? Add to this the fact that Turkey wants to attack Kurds in the northern portion of Iraq, the only stable portion of Iraq to this point, and you wonder: how many wars are we going to be fighting in the next 50 years?
* Cassville, Missouri: Two men, aged 32 and 20, are wanted for the death of a nine-year old girl who they brutally raped before strangling to death with a cord.
* Pat Robertson of PTL and CBN fame backs Rudy Guiliani for president in 2008. Let's see: Guiliani's been married three times... supports abortion rights... and supports the war to a degree. There couldn't be more of a difference between the two people. Has Robertson, who always preaches about morality, changed his tune and confused everyone, including his loyal followers?
* Homeowners are behind on equity payments. These sad-sack mortgages they were victimized by years ago are causing them to fall behind on much more than just house payments.
* The full-page ad on the following page begins: "If you've been waiting for the right time to buy a home..." We're waiting... and still waiting.
* And let's not forget, there's a reason television is called the "idiot box": among other things, it can distract a person who's tired of hearing all this bad news. But there's a blasted writers' strike going on! Nothing new being produced, even Letterman & Leno are likely to go into reruns.
Overall, it's nice to be wired, and it's nice to be connected to the world as we are. Sometimes, especially now, though... it would be nice to find the "off" switch once in awhile.
Back in its early days, Superstation TBS had a Sunday morning program called "Good News". Before I actually watched it to find out it was another religious show, I actually thought it was a one-hour time slot of nothing but good news in the world. Judging by some of the news articles, it would be difficult to fill a 15-minute TV time slot per month with any good news that would place faith & hope in humankind from media alone.
* Pakistan and the former Soviet state of Georgia are under emergency rule, with militants at the ready to attack whoever they don't like. Surprise surprise, these people are against our government. Who isn't these days? Add to this the fact that Turkey wants to attack Kurds in the northern portion of Iraq, the only stable portion of Iraq to this point, and you wonder: how many wars are we going to be fighting in the next 50 years?
* Cassville, Missouri: Two men, aged 32 and 20, are wanted for the death of a nine-year old girl who they brutally raped before strangling to death with a cord.
* Pat Robertson of PTL and CBN fame backs Rudy Guiliani for president in 2008. Let's see: Guiliani's been married three times... supports abortion rights... and supports the war to a degree. There couldn't be more of a difference between the two people. Has Robertson, who always preaches about morality, changed his tune and confused everyone, including his loyal followers?
* Homeowners are behind on equity payments. These sad-sack mortgages they were victimized by years ago are causing them to fall behind on much more than just house payments.
* The full-page ad on the following page begins: "If you've been waiting for the right time to buy a home..." We're waiting... and still waiting.
* And let's not forget, there's a reason television is called the "idiot box": among other things, it can distract a person who's tired of hearing all this bad news. But there's a blasted writers' strike going on! Nothing new being produced, even Letterman & Leno are likely to go into reruns.
Overall, it's nice to be wired, and it's nice to be connected to the world as we are. Sometimes, especially now, though... it would be nice to find the "off" switch once in awhile.
November 9, 2007
Super-natural internet (and accomplices)
Wasn't Halloween over a week ago? Or is this house the victim of carry-over?
The past few days, the internet and telephone have been acting eerie. The phone will ring by itself, with no one on the other end. My custom then is to hit *69 (in lieu of not having caller ID) to see who hung up on me, but then there's no dial tone. The phone stays off the hook for about five minutes, then comes back on.
At the exact moment it comes on, the internet goes off, and we have to reset the modem. Then the internet will come back on, but the phone will go off again. And the process repeats itself a few times... and it normally happens between the hours of 8 and 10 PM.
I'm surrounded by people who believe in ghosts; Steve and Jenni in particular. Steve can visualize occurrences in advance; Jenni also can to a greater degree. I myself can see spirits drifting in and out. While theirs are shapeless, mine have form and definition.
There's still talk, even years later, about ghosts haunting this house. Steve and I conducted a mini-seance two weeks ago. Our attention keeps getting drawn to the vestibule closet, whose walls are made from the same type of wood as you would find on pallets.
Unless the closet was a later addition, there is a peculiarity here. The two houses to the east of me have the exact same room design, have the vestibule closet in the same place, and have either plaster or drywall inside them. Why pallet wood in ours?
Anyway, Steve and I got a far-out sense during the mini-seance, that this house is actually not the original house. Steve commented there may have been a gruesome fire here in the 1950s, with deaths of two children. I do sense some youthful angst around the house, though I'm still not sure if that's the exact story. Plus, Diane and Dawn have never mentioned anything about an incident; Diane has lived here since before this house was built.
Wow, did I get off track! Mind you, there won't be any second burning of the house. Items don't mysteriously get picked up and moved. We've had rodents under the back deck over the years as well; a ground mole twice chewed up our water meter cable. The other cables, save for the electric, hang by a thread near the foundation of the house. Perhaps wind is overtaking the ones that service our phone & internet.
But this year's been a very windy year. So why has it taken up to now for these things to become haunted? After Halloween, mind you?
The past few days, the internet and telephone have been acting eerie. The phone will ring by itself, with no one on the other end. My custom then is to hit *69 (in lieu of not having caller ID) to see who hung up on me, but then there's no dial tone. The phone stays off the hook for about five minutes, then comes back on.
At the exact moment it comes on, the internet goes off, and we have to reset the modem. Then the internet will come back on, but the phone will go off again. And the process repeats itself a few times... and it normally happens between the hours of 8 and 10 PM.
I'm surrounded by people who believe in ghosts; Steve and Jenni in particular. Steve can visualize occurrences in advance; Jenni also can to a greater degree. I myself can see spirits drifting in and out. While theirs are shapeless, mine have form and definition.
There's still talk, even years later, about ghosts haunting this house. Steve and I conducted a mini-seance two weeks ago. Our attention keeps getting drawn to the vestibule closet, whose walls are made from the same type of wood as you would find on pallets.
Unless the closet was a later addition, there is a peculiarity here. The two houses to the east of me have the exact same room design, have the vestibule closet in the same place, and have either plaster or drywall inside them. Why pallet wood in ours?
Anyway, Steve and I got a far-out sense during the mini-seance, that this house is actually not the original house. Steve commented there may have been a gruesome fire here in the 1950s, with deaths of two children. I do sense some youthful angst around the house, though I'm still not sure if that's the exact story. Plus, Diane and Dawn have never mentioned anything about an incident; Diane has lived here since before this house was built.
Wow, did I get off track! Mind you, there won't be any second burning of the house. Items don't mysteriously get picked up and moved. We've had rodents under the back deck over the years as well; a ground mole twice chewed up our water meter cable. The other cables, save for the electric, hang by a thread near the foundation of the house. Perhaps wind is overtaking the ones that service our phone & internet.
But this year's been a very windy year. So why has it taken up to now for these things to become haunted? After Halloween, mind you?
November 7, 2007
Three's company, too
It became official today: We gain a roommate by the weekend.
The winner is George, who throughout the "screening" process showed enthusiasm (not desperation) in getting another place. He currently resides in a bad part of town, where all the things you read about are reality. Words won't be minced: he lives in Inkster, which, by all sights, is NOT recovering the way the politicians say it is.
Wow, what a surprise, given that it was said by the politicians.
The house will more resemble a warehouse the next few days as Steve and I rearrange and move furniture (rearrange? Why don't we eliminate?... I know) to accomodate our new arrival. With this, our bills will be cut an additional 25% per month, which helps everyone's bottom line.
So much for a relaxing weekend on my part. But if it relaxes the wallet, it will still be a productive weekend nonetheless; a trend-setter.
-----------------------------------
Boy, did people ever speak up for change at the polls yesterday. My old Southgate mayor was re-elected, but in no less than four Downriver communities, new mayors will be brought in.
Melvindale's mayoral change was a no-brainer. Twenty-five years ago, the city got into negative PR when a chemical leak gave them the nickname "dirty city". It happened again in October as a chemical leak went untreated and caused the evacuation of 3,000 of their residents, with faulty response from the mayor at the time.
One might consider it as a case of short tempers among the citizens. Whatever it was, they recognized the power of their vote, which is what everyone in this country should dream and make a reality.
The winner is George, who throughout the "screening" process showed enthusiasm (not desperation) in getting another place. He currently resides in a bad part of town, where all the things you read about are reality. Words won't be minced: he lives in Inkster, which, by all sights, is NOT recovering the way the politicians say it is.
Wow, what a surprise, given that it was said by the politicians.
The house will more resemble a warehouse the next few days as Steve and I rearrange and move furniture (rearrange? Why don't we eliminate?... I know) to accomodate our new arrival. With this, our bills will be cut an additional 25% per month, which helps everyone's bottom line.
So much for a relaxing weekend on my part. But if it relaxes the wallet, it will still be a productive weekend nonetheless; a trend-setter.
-----------------------------------
Boy, did people ever speak up for change at the polls yesterday. My old Southgate mayor was re-elected, but in no less than four Downriver communities, new mayors will be brought in.
Melvindale's mayoral change was a no-brainer. Twenty-five years ago, the city got into negative PR when a chemical leak gave them the nickname "dirty city". It happened again in October as a chemical leak went untreated and caused the evacuation of 3,000 of their residents, with faulty response from the mayor at the time.
One might consider it as a case of short tempers among the citizens. Whatever it was, they recognized the power of their vote, which is what everyone in this country should dream and make a reality.
November 6, 2007
Do you sequester them?
Michigan grows broke, part 157... and it only gets more pathetic.
Still at issue with the government is the realization that hey, we may have made a mistake with imposing this service tax we passed without voter approval in October. They're talking about transposing that to an addenum for the state business tax.
However they get their money is up to them. But following a missed deadline in October which resulted in the government shutting down for a few hours, and narrowly averting a second shutdown just days ago, they're fighting a negative fate here again.
At least, during their deer-hunting seasonal break.
With the state at a crossroads, does our government, accused (and rightfully so) of doing nothing until the last minute, give themselves a reprieve in the Michigan wilderness with unfinished business (and the livelihoods of many) on the docket? The proposed break lasts for 18 days. Supposedly, it's said somewhere in the state constitution that this 18-day "holiday break" is for the hunters in Congress.
Out of all the congressional people in there today, it was reported that only two have applied for deer-hunting licenses. Spokespeople also say that the politicians need to "get back in their districts" to serve their constituents.
Over what? Taxpayer-paid coffee?
If the government is now all of a sudden concerned about supporting their consituents and want to make a difference to put some *gasp* honesty in politics, the best thing they can do is forego their break, or at least cut it to one week, and only AFTER this latest tax bug-a-boo is solved.
The average person these days probably doesn't care if they see their congressperson in November. What they want to see are results. They want to see an economy on the rebound in the not-too-distant future. They want to see an economic base begin to stabilize.
Wise companies budget for the entire fiscal year, at the start of the fiscal year. They don't want to invest in white-out as they keep recalculating income and expenses, namely taxes. With all the ideas assured of passage, and then revoked, nobody can work a budget except through a pencil.
These pencils should not have to last an additional eighteen days if a solution can be reached in half that time. Wouldn't the politicians consider it better for their egos (trying to use some reverse psychology here) if they could enter a reasonable week-long break knowing they passed a solution that will keep this state solvent into next year? With election season virtually ending today and having no one to campaign for, December gives them plenty to time to go back to their districts.
First things first is the business at hand, which is to solve the budget situation so that we can breathe. The papers are already pessimistic about the holiday season making less money as consumers buy less.
Why fan the flames any longer, figuratively letting Mrs. O'Leary's cow to cross the lake to set our hopes ablaze?
Still at issue with the government is the realization that hey, we may have made a mistake with imposing this service tax we passed without voter approval in October. They're talking about transposing that to an addenum for the state business tax.
However they get their money is up to them. But following a missed deadline in October which resulted in the government shutting down for a few hours, and narrowly averting a second shutdown just days ago, they're fighting a negative fate here again.
At least, during their deer-hunting seasonal break.
With the state at a crossroads, does our government, accused (and rightfully so) of doing nothing until the last minute, give themselves a reprieve in the Michigan wilderness with unfinished business (and the livelihoods of many) on the docket? The proposed break lasts for 18 days. Supposedly, it's said somewhere in the state constitution that this 18-day "holiday break" is for the hunters in Congress.
Out of all the congressional people in there today, it was reported that only two have applied for deer-hunting licenses. Spokespeople also say that the politicians need to "get back in their districts" to serve their constituents.
Over what? Taxpayer-paid coffee?
If the government is now all of a sudden concerned about supporting their consituents and want to make a difference to put some *gasp* honesty in politics, the best thing they can do is forego their break, or at least cut it to one week, and only AFTER this latest tax bug-a-boo is solved.
The average person these days probably doesn't care if they see their congressperson in November. What they want to see are results. They want to see an economy on the rebound in the not-too-distant future. They want to see an economic base begin to stabilize.
Wise companies budget for the entire fiscal year, at the start of the fiscal year. They don't want to invest in white-out as they keep recalculating income and expenses, namely taxes. With all the ideas assured of passage, and then revoked, nobody can work a budget except through a pencil.
These pencils should not have to last an additional eighteen days if a solution can be reached in half that time. Wouldn't the politicians consider it better for their egos (trying to use some reverse psychology here) if they could enter a reasonable week-long break knowing they passed a solution that will keep this state solvent into next year? With election season virtually ending today and having no one to campaign for, December gives them plenty to time to go back to their districts.
First things first is the business at hand, which is to solve the budget situation so that we can breathe. The papers are already pessimistic about the holiday season making less money as consumers buy less.
Why fan the flames any longer, figuratively letting Mrs. O'Leary's cow to cross the lake to set our hopes ablaze?
November 5, 2007
Full service is REALLY gone
Yes, the days of the gas station attendant pumping your gas, checking your oil and other vital fluids, and offering to change your windshield wipers are long gone. The last full-service station that I saw was during my 1996 trek down to Myrtle Beach, at an old-fashioned Mobil gas station on some out-of-the-way road somewhere.
But what did I see today while driving in Taylor? A new gas station price display. There's a price for "regular with car wash" and "regular without car wash"!
Sorry if I may seem naive, but I couldn't believe this. Believe it or not, it would cost you more at the pump to NOT have a car wash. I wonder if they get you for the difference once you do enter the car wash... many of those auto-washes charge you $3.00 or more for just the basic wash: no wax, no underbody treatment, nothing.
How long will this latest breakdown in prices last? Mobil was the first station to offer cheaper gas if you paid cash, versus using a credit card (even theirs). This lasted, I believe, three years with other stations joining in. What happens three years later? Signs displayed all over the place: "Cash or credit, same low price."
Shouldn't the opposite be true at the BP gas station I'm referring to, especially with our natural resources dwindling? With lake levels at record lows, and the never-say-die rumor that our water would have to be pumped to parched areas of the nation? Communities insitute water restrictions or outright bans on summertime usage during hot weather. Why encourage car washes under these conditions just to make gas a few cents cheaper?
But you never know. With gas prices as they are, people may be tempted to see past the fine print and save a few pennies for a clean car.
I just want a car that holds itself together, clean or not.
But what did I see today while driving in Taylor? A new gas station price display. There's a price for "regular with car wash" and "regular without car wash"!
Sorry if I may seem naive, but I couldn't believe this. Believe it or not, it would cost you more at the pump to NOT have a car wash. I wonder if they get you for the difference once you do enter the car wash... many of those auto-washes charge you $3.00 or more for just the basic wash: no wax, no underbody treatment, nothing.
How long will this latest breakdown in prices last? Mobil was the first station to offer cheaper gas if you paid cash, versus using a credit card (even theirs). This lasted, I believe, three years with other stations joining in. What happens three years later? Signs displayed all over the place: "Cash or credit, same low price."
Shouldn't the opposite be true at the BP gas station I'm referring to, especially with our natural resources dwindling? With lake levels at record lows, and the never-say-die rumor that our water would have to be pumped to parched areas of the nation? Communities insitute water restrictions or outright bans on summertime usage during hot weather. Why encourage car washes under these conditions just to make gas a few cents cheaper?
But you never know. With gas prices as they are, people may be tempted to see past the fine print and save a few pennies for a clean car.
I just want a car that holds itself together, clean or not.
November 4, 2007
Another historical moment attended
Just got back from the 2007 PBA event at Taylor Lanes. I've only attended a handful of events in all the years I've watched bowling on TV, but I've attended some good ones.
* Today, Walter Ray Williams extended his PBA titles record to 43 with today's win, and I was there. Also witnessed the potential rebirth of the ladies' tour.
* I was there when the late Earl Anthony became the first to win 40 titles.
* I was there when the current Player Of The Year, Doug Kent, won his first title.
* I was there when Hall Of Famer Marshall Holman won his 22nd and final PBA title.
* I was there when the seventeenth televised perfect game was thrown.
There weren't many extra-cirriculars out there. Norm Duke & Brian Voss made things great last year with their Skills Challenge segments, which they don't have this year. No bowlers made their way to the bar to drink and shoot darts. Everything was basically cleaned up over there by 3PM.
But I did call ahead this year... which means I got in for free, got the program for free, and got the VIP seat for free... and my face was all over ESPN yesterday as I boldly predicted!
I have never seen so many 10-pins left by one person over two games as was the case with Walter Ray today - nine of them covering 20 frames! Unbelievable. Being able to shoot spares as well as he does is what carried him.
And guess what - Erin gave me four free games to bowl when all was said & done - Walter Ray even watched me bowl a frame or two. How about that - the greatest bowler in history watching me. Of course, by the third frame, he left, so I figured he got scared and didn't want my bad habits running off on him!
I was rooting hard for Eugene McCune - he's won one title in 23 years of competing and falling just short. I hoped he would win, but I don't mind seeing the titles record continue to fall.
---------------------------------
One reason I left earlier this year, other than the bowlers disappearing this year versus being more accessible this year, was that November's rent payment was in Mike's hands, as he was holding money Steve loaned him.
As of now, you guessed it: no money from Mike, and no way to get a hold of him because he's not answering his phone. So, six years late, I'm going to pull revenge on his father - by taking some of Mike's stuff like Dennis did to me in 2001.
There's no guilt complex I'm feeling... after all, when a guy messes with you and threatens your shelter, it's good reason to try payback. I've gotten more liberal in this regard lately.
I'm still happy he found true love. But love can blind, just as much as it can be blind itself. You don't let it blind yourself from the friends you've known since Day One. I wish him happiness, but Steve and I are done with him otherwise. Just waiting on Steve to get done with work so I can take him over to Mike's.
* Today, Walter Ray Williams extended his PBA titles record to 43 with today's win, and I was there. Also witnessed the potential rebirth of the ladies' tour.
* I was there when the late Earl Anthony became the first to win 40 titles.
* I was there when the current Player Of The Year, Doug Kent, won his first title.
* I was there when Hall Of Famer Marshall Holman won his 22nd and final PBA title.
* I was there when the seventeenth televised perfect game was thrown.
There weren't many extra-cirriculars out there. Norm Duke & Brian Voss made things great last year with their Skills Challenge segments, which they don't have this year. No bowlers made their way to the bar to drink and shoot darts. Everything was basically cleaned up over there by 3PM.
But I did call ahead this year... which means I got in for free, got the program for free, and got the VIP seat for free... and my face was all over ESPN yesterday as I boldly predicted!
I have never seen so many 10-pins left by one person over two games as was the case with Walter Ray today - nine of them covering 20 frames! Unbelievable. Being able to shoot spares as well as he does is what carried him.
And guess what - Erin gave me four free games to bowl when all was said & done - Walter Ray even watched me bowl a frame or two. How about that - the greatest bowler in history watching me. Of course, by the third frame, he left, so I figured he got scared and didn't want my bad habits running off on him!
I was rooting hard for Eugene McCune - he's won one title in 23 years of competing and falling just short. I hoped he would win, but I don't mind seeing the titles record continue to fall.
---------------------------------
One reason I left earlier this year, other than the bowlers disappearing this year versus being more accessible this year, was that November's rent payment was in Mike's hands, as he was holding money Steve loaned him.
As of now, you guessed it: no money from Mike, and no way to get a hold of him because he's not answering his phone. So, six years late, I'm going to pull revenge on his father - by taking some of Mike's stuff like Dennis did to me in 2001.
There's no guilt complex I'm feeling... after all, when a guy messes with you and threatens your shelter, it's good reason to try payback. I've gotten more liberal in this regard lately.
I'm still happy he found true love. But love can blind, just as much as it can be blind itself. You don't let it blind yourself from the friends you've known since Day One. I wish him happiness, but Steve and I are done with him otherwise. Just waiting on Steve to get done with work so I can take him over to Mike's.
November 3, 2007
Three months rush in one day
Wow, what a task... finally completed!
Though not updated every day, I have virtually caught up on all entries since I went on hiatus in July. The timeline is pretty much complete and accurate and I apologize for not being around lately. I was actually in a writing mood today... this has been fun.
Speaking of not being around lately, one of my top favorite blogs here on blogger, Malls Of America, which I linked to before, has not been updated since the end of August. One moment, Keith Milford was adding pictures and everything most every day, then BLAM! Nothing. Exploring malls from the past are something I really enjoy (I have one on my computer desktop) and Keith had a good thing going. I hope he hasn't fallen off the face of the planet.
The PBA Tour makes its annual stop in Taylor tomorrow. I am planning on being there earlier this year, at the 11 AM door opening. I called two days ago and told them to leave a message for Erin, the GM, that I was going to be there. So I fulfilled the promise to call ahead of time to where I might get MVP seats and be seen on ESPN. I've told Jenni and my dad to watch tomorrow to see if they can sight me. They threw a 300 game at last year's event, and Walter Ray Williams, the 42-time winner, is the tournament leader. It would be a pleasure to meet him.
Jenni's doing pretty good... work was better yesterday (starting a new streak of accident-free days)... Tyler's acting up again... still working on choosing one of two people to move in here... watching YouTube videos of The Price Is Right with Bob Barker (since Drew has no clue)... hoping my consecutive days of a headache gets snapped at 17... and waiting for the potential first snowfall on Tuesday. My life is very active by all stretches, and thanks to an honest sit-down, now you know, as Paul Harvey says, "The Rest Of The Story."
Thanks for your patience in waiting for new material, and I promise to update more frequently.
Though not updated every day, I have virtually caught up on all entries since I went on hiatus in July. The timeline is pretty much complete and accurate and I apologize for not being around lately. I was actually in a writing mood today... this has been fun.
Speaking of not being around lately, one of my top favorite blogs here on blogger, Malls Of America, which I linked to before, has not been updated since the end of August. One moment, Keith Milford was adding pictures and everything most every day, then BLAM! Nothing. Exploring malls from the past are something I really enjoy (I have one on my computer desktop) and Keith had a good thing going. I hope he hasn't fallen off the face of the planet.
The PBA Tour makes its annual stop in Taylor tomorrow. I am planning on being there earlier this year, at the 11 AM door opening. I called two days ago and told them to leave a message for Erin, the GM, that I was going to be there. So I fulfilled the promise to call ahead of time to where I might get MVP seats and be seen on ESPN. I've told Jenni and my dad to watch tomorrow to see if they can sight me. They threw a 300 game at last year's event, and Walter Ray Williams, the 42-time winner, is the tournament leader. It would be a pleasure to meet him.
Jenni's doing pretty good... work was better yesterday (starting a new streak of accident-free days)... Tyler's acting up again... still working on choosing one of two people to move in here... watching YouTube videos of The Price Is Right with Bob Barker (since Drew has no clue)... hoping my consecutive days of a headache gets snapped at 17... and waiting for the potential first snowfall on Tuesday. My life is very active by all stretches, and thanks to an honest sit-down, now you know, as Paul Harvey says, "The Rest Of The Story."
Thanks for your patience in waiting for new material, and I promise to update more frequently.
November 1, 2007
Things that go "bump" in the day
Today I was involved in my first auto accident after fifteen years of driving.
I got smacked in my cab by a Mack truck, literally, on Telegraph Road in Brownstown. I was stopped in the left-most lane trying to make a left turn into a mobile home park with signals on, when suddenly I felt a "WUMP!" and next thing I know, this tanker is right behind me.
About thirty seconds after the impact, the passenger I had with me started complaining about neck problems. Upon inspection of the car, I noticed very little damage sustained with the hit, which I think was at 30 MPH. At this point, my mind wrote off the damage and I became more concerned with the welfare of my passenger. So I had a little discussion with the tanker driver and arranged to have his supervisor contacted immediately. The last I saw of Scott (the passenger), it appeared he was having whiplash. I asked him three times if he needed treatment, and he turned me down three times -- even when I asked "are you sure?"
I had a very heavy heart when I left there... and just want tomorrow to pass quickly so that I can get to this weekend that I desperately need. Of course, the boss went nuts and asked "how can I send the car out in this condition?" Damn hard plastic bumpers; if they had been chrome as in the good old days, you might notice a little discolorization, but nothing else. I had to laugh to myself as he said this; my attention turned to the cab next to me which had a nice green streak of paint stretching from the rear bumper to the rear passenger door. His father-in-law's cab had a big gash on the bumper. My damage was cosmetic in nature only. Why does he fly off the handle at something minor?
Days like this make me wish I never took the job. I barely made any money today, and with the stress about Scott, I know tonight won't provide much sleep.
I just can't understand how that stretch of Telegraph Road (which looks a lot like the road layout in the photo below) can function with the increase in traffic - without a left-turn lane or more signals throughout the area.
Hopefully this doesn't show a sign of me becoming accident prone. The night blindness thing notwithstanding, it actually is a great stress to take some of these passengers along, simply because you know someone else's life is in your hands. Even at the airport, what we did affected only us, not a paying customer.
I got smacked in my cab by a Mack truck, literally, on Telegraph Road in Brownstown. I was stopped in the left-most lane trying to make a left turn into a mobile home park with signals on, when suddenly I felt a "WUMP!" and next thing I know, this tanker is right behind me.
About thirty seconds after the impact, the passenger I had with me started complaining about neck problems. Upon inspection of the car, I noticed very little damage sustained with the hit, which I think was at 30 MPH. At this point, my mind wrote off the damage and I became more concerned with the welfare of my passenger. So I had a little discussion with the tanker driver and arranged to have his supervisor contacted immediately. The last I saw of Scott (the passenger), it appeared he was having whiplash. I asked him three times if he needed treatment, and he turned me down three times -- even when I asked "are you sure?"
I had a very heavy heart when I left there... and just want tomorrow to pass quickly so that I can get to this weekend that I desperately need. Of course, the boss went nuts and asked "how can I send the car out in this condition?" Damn hard plastic bumpers; if they had been chrome as in the good old days, you might notice a little discolorization, but nothing else. I had to laugh to myself as he said this; my attention turned to the cab next to me which had a nice green streak of paint stretching from the rear bumper to the rear passenger door. His father-in-law's cab had a big gash on the bumper. My damage was cosmetic in nature only. Why does he fly off the handle at something minor?
Days like this make me wish I never took the job. I barely made any money today, and with the stress about Scott, I know tonight won't provide much sleep.
I just can't understand how that stretch of Telegraph Road (which looks a lot like the road layout in the photo below) can function with the increase in traffic - without a left-turn lane or more signals throughout the area.
Hopefully this doesn't show a sign of me becoming accident prone. The night blindness thing notwithstanding, it actually is a great stress to take some of these passengers along, simply because you know someone else's life is in your hands. Even at the airport, what we did affected only us, not a paying customer.
The accident was not my fault. Nonetheless, I'll be starting on Monster.com all over again. Something tells me this stepping stone is about to sink.
October 31, 2007
Busloads! Boxcar loads! Planeloads!
All told, one hundred fourteen (114) trick-or-treaters came to the door last night in a 90-minute period. And this came after I was fifteen minutes late getting home from work tonight.
I'm still trying to catch my breath. I bought four bags of candy, thinking Steve could snack at two of them. In forty minutes, 3 1/2 bags were gone. So I started handing out nickels. I must have handed out almost $6 worth of nickels alone.
At one point, I walked into the kitchen to cut open another bag of candy (this year, they were Butterfinger Caramel Cremes I think -- and no, I'm not about to root through the garbage to verify that), which took thirty seconds. Eleven kids congregated on my driveway in a line in just that time. I thought, where were they bussing these kids in from?
Then I remembered: for twenty years, we lived on a dead-end street. Even to drive from the street in the complex behind ours to the home street would take five minutes. Thirty-nine homes, only half of which had kids. Any year we had thirty kids, I would marvel at their desperation.
I remember my dad's mom saying she would have a ton of trick-or-treaters every Halloween. The exact numbers escape me... but I wonder if I beat her record this year.
What I considered strange is that I didn't hear much hubbub about candy safety checkpoints like in previous years. And Detroit's "Angels Night" mission, held again over the holiday, garnered very little news. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not, but as long as it's not more bloody PR for the city, I guess it's all good. (Though one of the drivers told me the entire Angels Night thing is pure propaganda -- it wouldn't surprise me.)
Remember this entry from last November 12, entitled "Consolation Prize For Linus"? It detailed a pumpkin patch near the airport, when I was complaining about real pumpkins laid to the side and gone to waste. As it turns out, the house on that property burned two days ago, and according to the same driver who mentioned "propaganda", all seven occupants of the house perished. Strange that I've never read that.
I passed by there today and saw the gutted shell of the house; yet there were people in the patch, picking out pumpkins without a care in the world or one cent out of their pocket. I reserve comment on that image for a moment... it's too deeply disturbing to even fathom. Death lurks by (if that's indeed what happened), and the people don't care?
Guess we need to make those gory horror flicks mandatory viewing.
I'm still trying to catch my breath. I bought four bags of candy, thinking Steve could snack at two of them. In forty minutes, 3 1/2 bags were gone. So I started handing out nickels. I must have handed out almost $6 worth of nickels alone.
At one point, I walked into the kitchen to cut open another bag of candy (this year, they were Butterfinger Caramel Cremes I think -- and no, I'm not about to root through the garbage to verify that), which took thirty seconds. Eleven kids congregated on my driveway in a line in just that time. I thought, where were they bussing these kids in from?
Then I remembered: for twenty years, we lived on a dead-end street. Even to drive from the street in the complex behind ours to the home street would take five minutes. Thirty-nine homes, only half of which had kids. Any year we had thirty kids, I would marvel at their desperation.
I remember my dad's mom saying she would have a ton of trick-or-treaters every Halloween. The exact numbers escape me... but I wonder if I beat her record this year.
What I considered strange is that I didn't hear much hubbub about candy safety checkpoints like in previous years. And Detroit's "Angels Night" mission, held again over the holiday, garnered very little news. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not, but as long as it's not more bloody PR for the city, I guess it's all good. (Though one of the drivers told me the entire Angels Night thing is pure propaganda -- it wouldn't surprise me.)
Remember this entry from last November 12, entitled "Consolation Prize For Linus"? It detailed a pumpkin patch near the airport, when I was complaining about real pumpkins laid to the side and gone to waste. As it turns out, the house on that property burned two days ago, and according to the same driver who mentioned "propaganda", all seven occupants of the house perished. Strange that I've never read that.
I passed by there today and saw the gutted shell of the house; yet there were people in the patch, picking out pumpkins without a care in the world or one cent out of their pocket. I reserve comment on that image for a moment... it's too deeply disturbing to even fathom. Death lurks by (if that's indeed what happened), and the people don't care?
Guess we need to make those gory horror flicks mandatory viewing.
October 30, 2007
They've evolved from Underdog
Some photos to share of Jenni's kids in all their glory... Halloween is shared by all of them as the best holiday of the year.
To the left is Zack, dressed to the nines in a ninja costume. For some reason I think the ninja costume is going to be the hit this Halloween - again. I guess they like holding those fake weapons...
This is Nick in a black??? Spiderman outfit. Spiderman is something he's wanted to be all year. But Spiderman's outfit is done in red, isn't it? Or does he have a dark side? Wow, what an appropriate time of year to be opening that can of bats - er, worms, eh?...
And here is Cheyanna, dressed as a witch, one year after insisting she wanted to be a princess. As the old song goes, "I've seen the world from both sides now"... I wish I could see a picture of her in the princess outfit.
To the left is Zack, dressed to the nines in a ninja costume. For some reason I think the ninja costume is going to be the hit this Halloween - again. I guess they like holding those fake weapons...
This is Nick in a black??? Spiderman outfit. Spiderman is something he's wanted to be all year. But Spiderman's outfit is done in red, isn't it? Or does he have a dark side? Wow, what an appropriate time of year to be opening that can of bats - er, worms, eh?...
And here is Cheyanna, dressed as a witch, one year after insisting she wanted to be a princess. As the old song goes, "I've seen the world from both sides now"... I wish I could see a picture of her in the princess outfit.
And Jenni? She herself went as a witch for the holiday too. She loves the holiday and is well known for watching a marathon of scary movies. She started on that a bit late this year, but she's in the process of catching up.
No fake outlaw costume for me this year. Had I been able to stay at Janice's halloween party last weekend, what would I have been? The Burger King. That would not have been pretty to say the least. I'd have hidden underneath my old Underdog costume which sits in some landfill somewhere.
They had a lot of fun at various functions, and they've shovelled in the candy supply big-time. Though I won't catch Halloween spirit like they have, it's got me tempted to hand candy out this year - first time since 2003. People will tell you that even at a young age, I enjoyed giving candy more than working for it...
... too many free treats for my dad!
October 29, 2007
Third roommate, takes 1 and 2
The search has been on for quite some time now to add another roommate to the mix here in order to lower individual spending bills. For three months I've been running an ad on the website adpost.com advertising the benefits of the house. However, the ad disappoints (and I admit it) by not having enough photos. (But why would I want to photograph Steve's room? I don't need to show the public photos of natural regeneration areas - HA!)
In that time, we've received one response from a British native that was to locate here on a work fellowship program. Everything seemed ready to go until the lack of photos was addressed. I sent a reply stating the problem would be fixed soon, but I've not heard hide nor hair from him since. I've not bothered to fix the problem, thinking it will take another response to the ad for me to fix the camera.
The ad may be completely worthless, but my PR skills may not be. Today one of my passengers expressed interest in moving in, saying it would save a lot of money. For one month in an absolute DIVE of a motel on Telegraph Road runs him almost $700. Geez, for $150 less per month, he gets use of a house with rent and utilities paid. He's shown some interest, but it's been tough trying to get a hold of him on the cellphone.
As I reiterate, the late though welcome severance check from Spirit has bailed me out this month. It seems to be a recurring theme to Michigan government, too. But I would hope my good days outnumber my bad days money-wise at work. It's the risk you take when driving a cab. I don't want any more close calls come rent time.
---------------------------
ADDENUM: Possible second candidate interested in the house, showed more enthusiasm and says he will call by the weekend of November 3 and 4. Again, it's thanks to good PR skills I've obviously developed over time.
In that time, we've received one response from a British native that was to locate here on a work fellowship program. Everything seemed ready to go until the lack of photos was addressed. I sent a reply stating the problem would be fixed soon, but I've not heard hide nor hair from him since. I've not bothered to fix the problem, thinking it will take another response to the ad for me to fix the camera.
The ad may be completely worthless, but my PR skills may not be. Today one of my passengers expressed interest in moving in, saying it would save a lot of money. For one month in an absolute DIVE of a motel on Telegraph Road runs him almost $700. Geez, for $150 less per month, he gets use of a house with rent and utilities paid. He's shown some interest, but it's been tough trying to get a hold of him on the cellphone.
As I reiterate, the late though welcome severance check from Spirit has bailed me out this month. It seems to be a recurring theme to Michigan government, too. But I would hope my good days outnumber my bad days money-wise at work. It's the risk you take when driving a cab. I don't want any more close calls come rent time.
---------------------------
ADDENUM: Possible second candidate interested in the house, showed more enthusiasm and says he will call by the weekend of November 3 and 4. Again, it's thanks to good PR skills I've obviously developed over time.
October 27, 2007
A success (while I was there)
Just came home from spending last night at Janice's with Jenni and the kids, helping prepare for a kid/adult Halloween party. I would have stayed for the whole thing (it ends tonight), but I wanted to be safe. Some members of the family aren't sure about me and I'd rather not start World War IV around the kids. (However, the only way they can be sure about me is to ask me, not make comments when they've never seen me.)
Things were chaotic, as can be expected when you have a household full of kids. The trip up was rather chaotic as well.
That darn night blindness thing I must have threatened to bite me throughout the 35-mile trip up there. The car has been running much better lately since I've figured out the last of its tricks. But it hadn't been tried for such a long distance at one time before (Flat Rock to St. Clair Shores). To make it worse, it began to rain slightly while waiting for Jenni in Flat Rock. Telegraph Road was going to be very tricky to manuever up.
I simply laid down the ground rules: when they saw me strain forward, all talking was to stop, as I had to concentrate hard to get around areas with either amber streetlights or no streetlights at all. Passing was a hazard. The kids obviously didn't get to say much during the trip, but I hope they understood why.
The car held up surprisingly well; didn't stall once, and we ended up at Janice's about 9 PM. The kids were up until 1 AM, Jen & me until at least 3 AM, which made for a 22-hour day for me. The kids, when together, are literal firecrackers. They're happy to see each other, and at the same time, fight for space. They fight over everything. Every half hour, something happened in that basement that required an adult. There were many threats of party cancellations.
Part of the reason Jenni and I were up so late was because the kids couldn't get settled downstairs. There were two pup tents, one larger than the other. Arguments ensued over who should get the bigger one, the smaller one, and the rug. Heck, I'd have preferred the rug just staring into the Halloween lights I strung on the ceiling!
Angie, one of Janice's friends, bounded down the steps and virtually waked the neighborhood up yelling at them. When it got to be too much, I went downstairs to handle it.
I've found the last thing these kids need is another adult yelling at them. That's partially why they act to the degree they do. I wanted to settle it diplomatically. Without raising my voice, I spent ten minutes in discussion planning their sleeping arrangements for that night as well as the next. Jenni came downstairs and saw immediately they were calmer. The others wondered how I was able to handle it so well. I kept the reasoning to myself, leaving it to the other adults (minus Jenni and I) to grasp the proceedings - and maybe learn something from it.
All else went well during the time there, and my car actually rewarded a rare showing of guts -- by travelling seventeen miles of expressway in a row - without stuttering or anything! I got home in a little under half-an-hour. Remember, the one time I tried to take Nine Mile Road, I spent an hour on that road alone.
Finally, it looks like the car is somewhat reliable now, which doesn't come a moment too soon. And from what I hear, things didn't end up so hot at the party after I left, so my going home averted World War V.*
--------------------------------------
* Remember, George W. Bush started World War III in 2003.
Things were chaotic, as can be expected when you have a household full of kids. The trip up was rather chaotic as well.
That darn night blindness thing I must have threatened to bite me throughout the 35-mile trip up there. The car has been running much better lately since I've figured out the last of its tricks. But it hadn't been tried for such a long distance at one time before (Flat Rock to St. Clair Shores). To make it worse, it began to rain slightly while waiting for Jenni in Flat Rock. Telegraph Road was going to be very tricky to manuever up.
I simply laid down the ground rules: when they saw me strain forward, all talking was to stop, as I had to concentrate hard to get around areas with either amber streetlights or no streetlights at all. Passing was a hazard. The kids obviously didn't get to say much during the trip, but I hope they understood why.
The car held up surprisingly well; didn't stall once, and we ended up at Janice's about 9 PM. The kids were up until 1 AM, Jen & me until at least 3 AM, which made for a 22-hour day for me. The kids, when together, are literal firecrackers. They're happy to see each other, and at the same time, fight for space. They fight over everything. Every half hour, something happened in that basement that required an adult. There were many threats of party cancellations.
Part of the reason Jenni and I were up so late was because the kids couldn't get settled downstairs. There were two pup tents, one larger than the other. Arguments ensued over who should get the bigger one, the smaller one, and the rug. Heck, I'd have preferred the rug just staring into the Halloween lights I strung on the ceiling!
Angie, one of Janice's friends, bounded down the steps and virtually waked the neighborhood up yelling at them. When it got to be too much, I went downstairs to handle it.
I've found the last thing these kids need is another adult yelling at them. That's partially why they act to the degree they do. I wanted to settle it diplomatically. Without raising my voice, I spent ten minutes in discussion planning their sleeping arrangements for that night as well as the next. Jenni came downstairs and saw immediately they were calmer. The others wondered how I was able to handle it so well. I kept the reasoning to myself, leaving it to the other adults (minus Jenni and I) to grasp the proceedings - and maybe learn something from it.
All else went well during the time there, and my car actually rewarded a rare showing of guts -- by travelling seventeen miles of expressway in a row - without stuttering or anything! I got home in a little under half-an-hour. Remember, the one time I tried to take Nine Mile Road, I spent an hour on that road alone.
Finally, it looks like the car is somewhat reliable now, which doesn't come a moment too soon. And from what I hear, things didn't end up so hot at the party after I left, so my going home averted World War V.*
--------------------------------------
* Remember, George W. Bush started World War III in 2003.
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