... It's only too bad it costs them $400 at times.
Dearborn, notorious for rigid police enforcement of traffic laws, just had an embezzlement case heard that uncovered the activities of an ex-officer, who tried to bribe ticketed drivers into paying $400 to have their offenses wiped clean. Unfortunately, the officer pocketed half the money along with an accomplice, who agreed to testify in exchange for probation.
Many people are worried that police departments are not out to protect them, but to protect their own bottom line. Drivers constantly worry about speed traps and safety belt zones, and they claim there's good reason to worry. This is an unfortunate example.
Speaking of the seat belt law, we have increased enforcements here during holiday weekends. My co-worker Theresa was nailed in one of these zones, but they didn't pull her over until she was already a mile north of the zone. She was incredulous, wondering how come they didn't pull her over right in the zone. I told her they want to make you feel comfortable, thinking you got away with it, while at the same time nabbing you anyway.
Seat belt use comes naturally for me, thank goodness. I'd almost feel naked without it.
---------------------------------------
My likes for music have officially expanded to 2009, as I heard "1-2-3-4" by the Plain White T's. The link to the official video on YouTube is here.
What a beautiful song and beautiful video in a world that doesn't seem so beautiful. Hats off to the Plain White T's as well for bringing acoustical rock back to the forefront. It's nice to hear someone not from the cookie-cutter of Hip-Hop, rap or reality every once in awhile.
June 4, 2009
Kilpatrick: Clouding a liberal's viewpoint
I never fully understood any argument punctuated by stances from the left and right. Nor does a clear line draw between liberals & conservatives. I know the division itself is great, and I know voters overwhelmingly sent a message to change the conservative tone last November.
It makes a perfectly confusing forum when the resurgence of ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick dominates the headlines.
We already know his story. Now, wouldn't a criminal's possibilities of prison time look much more appealing if the end result is like Kilpatrick's? The man makes Detroit a laughingstock, is jailed for a miserly ninety days, then walks out from incarceration and right into a a $120,000/year job for Convisint, given all the perks that he enjoyed here - including a Cadillac Escalade.
How he deserves the automatic job right out of prison, nobody knows. A slap on the hand, a scott-free spring is what it amounts to. And the arrogance never stopped for one moment. Only able to pay six dollars per month restitution towards Detroit with all the money he's making? Insisting that a proposed visit to Dubai is for business? What business does he know how to conduct in Dubai, and how would he be perceived? He just wants a getaway outside his parole limitations.
That's how I perceived it, and in November I voted for "change". Wouldn't those be liberalistic views? If Kilpatrick is nailed for these actions, wouldn't I want the bum to stay in prison this time? Absolutely!
Yet the blogger response on the Free Press assumes the liberals want him out of prison if he's put back there. Shall we cloud the parties' stance even more?
From what I've seen, liberals choose to take an activist stance, quick to point out things wrong and, like the term implies, take action. It would appear to me that the conservative view would be "give the guy a chance". At least from my perspective. But then, check out these quotes on the response blog:
"Another liberal tact telling people to look the other way as criminals roll all over them!" To me, such an action would be inaction. Am I wrong?
"Then let all the stupid liberals hold candelight vigils outside his cell." I thought conservatives "turned the other cheek". They term it the "compassionate conservative". Wouldn't compassion for the man in this case involve releasing him from prison again, citing an "oversight"?
Maybe I really should consider myself "middle of the road", politically speaking. Then I could enjoy my time in the clouds.
-------------------------------------------
Reprieve #12 this year regarding the house: the utilities are actually safe from now, and we could get a $100 per month savings on restoring internet to the house. Supposedly, any moves to a motel or other smaller place now seem useless. Please tell me if this is another string-along. By Friday, I'll bet the story changes.
If anyone calls me "cynical", it will be because I've earned the title over the past year.
It makes a perfectly confusing forum when the resurgence of ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick dominates the headlines.
We already know his story. Now, wouldn't a criminal's possibilities of prison time look much more appealing if the end result is like Kilpatrick's? The man makes Detroit a laughingstock, is jailed for a miserly ninety days, then walks out from incarceration and right into a a $120,000/year job for Convisint, given all the perks that he enjoyed here - including a Cadillac Escalade.
How he deserves the automatic job right out of prison, nobody knows. A slap on the hand, a scott-free spring is what it amounts to. And the arrogance never stopped for one moment. Only able to pay six dollars per month restitution towards Detroit with all the money he's making? Insisting that a proposed visit to Dubai is for business? What business does he know how to conduct in Dubai, and how would he be perceived? He just wants a getaway outside his parole limitations.
That's how I perceived it, and in November I voted for "change". Wouldn't those be liberalistic views? If Kilpatrick is nailed for these actions, wouldn't I want the bum to stay in prison this time? Absolutely!
Yet the blogger response on the Free Press assumes the liberals want him out of prison if he's put back there. Shall we cloud the parties' stance even more?
From what I've seen, liberals choose to take an activist stance, quick to point out things wrong and, like the term implies, take action. It would appear to me that the conservative view would be "give the guy a chance". At least from my perspective. But then, check out these quotes on the response blog:
"Another liberal tact telling people to look the other way as criminals roll all over them!" To me, such an action would be inaction. Am I wrong?
"Then let all the stupid liberals hold candelight vigils outside his cell." I thought conservatives "turned the other cheek". They term it the "compassionate conservative". Wouldn't compassion for the man in this case involve releasing him from prison again, citing an "oversight"?
Maybe I really should consider myself "middle of the road", politically speaking. Then I could enjoy my time in the clouds.
-------------------------------------------
Reprieve #12 this year regarding the house: the utilities are actually safe from now, and we could get a $100 per month savings on restoring internet to the house. Supposedly, any moves to a motel or other smaller place now seem useless. Please tell me if this is another string-along. By Friday, I'll bet the story changes.
If anyone calls me "cynical", it will be because I've earned the title over the past year.
June 3, 2009
A rather flimsy pedestal
Today's Detroit Tiger boxscore was clicked on, and immediately clicked off in disgust. Their performance the past couple days show that first place may not be theirs for long. Since Monday, their play has been wretchedly 2008 again: they can't hit, pitch or field.
Continuing my recent rants on the legitmacy of response blog accuracies, I find it funny to see how many fair-weather fans will go to such extremes: Lose one game, fire everyone. Win one game, GO TIGERS! Win, and new pitching coach Rick Knapp looks like a genius. Lose, and old pitching coach Chuck Hernandez must still be giving the pitchers bad pointers from the other dugout.
I originally took offense at local columnist Terry Foster, and even Mitch Albom to a degree, when they complained about regular people blogging sporting events. They claim that the average fan knows nothing about the teams, and that any argument, from any stance, is baseless. We are to rely on the paid sportswriter if we are to read anything believeable.
Responsible people are out there blogging, guys. Feverish fans know what they're talking about. Ultimately though, Foster & Albom do have a point, as the blogs are overloaded with fair-weather fans. You can spot their posts a mile away.
Realists such as myself post realistic blogs, trying to allow a little wiggle-room for someone to logically debate a differing view. Citing pitching coach Knapp, people lauded him a genius last week when the Tigers took the AL ERA lead. But now I know I'll be reading buckshot in the blogs tonight saying he's worse than Hernandez ever was.
"Jim Leyland's got the fire!", followed by "Leyland's too old," followed by "Leyland's on top of his game," followed by "Leyland smokes too much." This is why I don't take offense at the named columnists anymore. You don't need a stat sheet with winning & losing streaks to find out if the team is winning or in a rut.
Keep plugging away, Foster & Albom. Perhaps your view has merit, and you can provide solid pedestals those other bloggers can't.
Just don't forget the credit to those who are knowledgeable, unjudgmental, and calls them like they see them. Wish the response blogs had more of them.
Continuing my recent rants on the legitmacy of response blog accuracies, I find it funny to see how many fair-weather fans will go to such extremes: Lose one game, fire everyone. Win one game, GO TIGERS! Win, and new pitching coach Rick Knapp looks like a genius. Lose, and old pitching coach Chuck Hernandez must still be giving the pitchers bad pointers from the other dugout.
I originally took offense at local columnist Terry Foster, and even Mitch Albom to a degree, when they complained about regular people blogging sporting events. They claim that the average fan knows nothing about the teams, and that any argument, from any stance, is baseless. We are to rely on the paid sportswriter if we are to read anything believeable.
Responsible people are out there blogging, guys. Feverish fans know what they're talking about. Ultimately though, Foster & Albom do have a point, as the blogs are overloaded with fair-weather fans. You can spot their posts a mile away.
Realists such as myself post realistic blogs, trying to allow a little wiggle-room for someone to logically debate a differing view. Citing pitching coach Knapp, people lauded him a genius last week when the Tigers took the AL ERA lead. But now I know I'll be reading buckshot in the blogs tonight saying he's worse than Hernandez ever was.
"Jim Leyland's got the fire!", followed by "Leyland's too old," followed by "Leyland's on top of his game," followed by "Leyland smokes too much." This is why I don't take offense at the named columnists anymore. You don't need a stat sheet with winning & losing streaks to find out if the team is winning or in a rut.
Keep plugging away, Foster & Albom. Perhaps your view has merit, and you can provide solid pedestals those other bloggers can't.
Just don't forget the credit to those who are knowledgeable, unjudgmental, and calls them like they see them. Wish the response blogs had more of them.
Read the definition of the word carefully
News items of note from yesterday:
* Detroit mayor Dave Bing accepted the sudden resignation of his chief communications officer, Robert Warfield, without having known of his past criminal history. In 2002, Warfield was charged with cocaine possession and sentenced to six months' probation. He likely took the position thinking the charge would be off the record after five years, but to no avail. Warfield acknowledged the transgression, but Bing was obviously never told about this.
It's good this resignation came quick. You can tell Warfield would have been a horrible communications officer -- because he didn't communicate his past to his superior! Who knows what could (or couldn't) have turned up had he stayed in the office for very long? We know the old tale that transparency in politics isn't a realistic thought. This is just another obvious reminder.
* The last vestiges of Tiger Stadium will mercifully be torn down starting in about two weeks.
The restoration of the sliver that remains has dragged on in the news for months. A conservancy was to raise the funds for its restoration into a museum, commercial complex and youth baseball field. But judging by the lack of press on the project over the past month or so, knowing deadlines were looming, I didn't really feel this project would take off.
This may not yet end without a fight, as proponents of the restoration argue that the city cannot clear the property without a buyer ready to take over. However, the actual order for the demolition has no city say-so.
It's a shame there ended up being no use for a historical structure, but it's been a damn shame it's been hanging in the wind for months; just another eyesore in the Corktown area, which needs all the luck it can get.
* Interesting article about the prices of milk sliding recently. Kroger advertises a gallon for $1.77. At the gas station, a quart goes for $1.49, so it seems to make sense to buy in bulk.
The price slide appears to affect all dairy farmers directly. Notice I said "appears". I went to Calder's two weeks ago, and a quart of chocolate milk is still $2.49. Nothing against the owner, who's a good guy and who produces delicious milk, but I wonder how he's being shielded against these price cuts, and stays in business with the same amount of loyal customers as before. Maybe he has a different business formula that most dairy farmers are unaware of.
* And the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotamayor are underway. One thing critics can't claim is that she's indecisive. After all, she was the arbiter whose judgement ended the 1994 baseball strike and kept us from having to watch replacement ballplayers.
I still laugh at the one snippet from back then when two replacement players barked at the major league manager to hurry up the tryouts, as they "still had two refrigerators to deliver".
At least Sotamayor has a track record, but whether or not this will help the confirmation proceedings remains to be seen.
* Detroit mayor Dave Bing accepted the sudden resignation of his chief communications officer, Robert Warfield, without having known of his past criminal history. In 2002, Warfield was charged with cocaine possession and sentenced to six months' probation. He likely took the position thinking the charge would be off the record after five years, but to no avail. Warfield acknowledged the transgression, but Bing was obviously never told about this.
It's good this resignation came quick. You can tell Warfield would have been a horrible communications officer -- because he didn't communicate his past to his superior! Who knows what could (or couldn't) have turned up had he stayed in the office for very long? We know the old tale that transparency in politics isn't a realistic thought. This is just another obvious reminder.
* The last vestiges of Tiger Stadium will mercifully be torn down starting in about two weeks.
The restoration of the sliver that remains has dragged on in the news for months. A conservancy was to raise the funds for its restoration into a museum, commercial complex and youth baseball field. But judging by the lack of press on the project over the past month or so, knowing deadlines were looming, I didn't really feel this project would take off.
This may not yet end without a fight, as proponents of the restoration argue that the city cannot clear the property without a buyer ready to take over. However, the actual order for the demolition has no city say-so.
It's a shame there ended up being no use for a historical structure, but it's been a damn shame it's been hanging in the wind for months; just another eyesore in the Corktown area, which needs all the luck it can get.
* Interesting article about the prices of milk sliding recently. Kroger advertises a gallon for $1.77. At the gas station, a quart goes for $1.49, so it seems to make sense to buy in bulk.
The price slide appears to affect all dairy farmers directly. Notice I said "appears". I went to Calder's two weeks ago, and a quart of chocolate milk is still $2.49. Nothing against the owner, who's a good guy and who produces delicious milk, but I wonder how he's being shielded against these price cuts, and stays in business with the same amount of loyal customers as before. Maybe he has a different business formula that most dairy farmers are unaware of.
* And the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotamayor are underway. One thing critics can't claim is that she's indecisive. After all, she was the arbiter whose judgement ended the 1994 baseball strike and kept us from having to watch replacement ballplayers.
I still laugh at the one snippet from back then when two replacement players barked at the major league manager to hurry up the tryouts, as they "still had two refrigerators to deliver".
At least Sotamayor has a track record, but whether or not this will help the confirmation proceedings remains to be seen.
June 2, 2009
Royalty payments with the opposite effect
There are two distinct and obvious groups in the music industry. One are the known superstars -- the Beatles years ago, the Jonas Brothers today. Then there are those who have spent a lifetime trying to crack the charts, gaining airplay and notice.
Airplay & notice can be fleeting sometimes. But under a newly proposed procedure awaiting passage, radio stations will be required to pay out royalties to groups who have their music played.
In this day & age, with cutbacks being the norm, how are radio stations supposed to keep funding the artists when they're working with a small budget to begin with?
Radio, though it's been around longer than TV, is a smaller operation. It used to be gigantic until TV began signing away top radio stars of the day. Add to that the recent expansion of XM and Sirius satellite radio, and traditional stations are losing territory, coverage, advertisers and listeners.
The "Awareness for Fairness" bill will not promote continuous airplay simply because there would be too many songs to pay out for. Radio stations have staffs to take care of and pay for. Radio personalities are very passionate about what they do - perhaps more so than in other fields - but they likewise won't take a pay cut as anything more than a slap in the face.
It seems today's artists are more hungry for money than ever. They put the giving musicians, like U2's Bono, in the background when we should be profiling more of his humanitarian efforts. These artists will make more money in a month than Joe Q. Public will make in years. It makes it hard to understand why they are taxing the actual relief valves that play their music and make them known.
Please note than I am not totally against royalties in music. Songwriters & composers are already compensated (deservedly so, since they actually create the sound). Metallica had a legitimate gripe against Napster many years ago and chose not to have them carry their music. But this almost sounds like punishing a whole batch of apples for one rotten one. Once again, the scales of money distribution continue to tilt one way.
Unbelieveable to me is that Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, is on the panel recommending these payouts. Has she forgotten radio's humble roots, where one would be glad to receive notice?
You have to wonder if this could be the bell tolling for the demise of radio as we know it, if this crazy proposal passes. Rock groups need funding? Isn't that what touring and merchandising is for?
Airplay & notice can be fleeting sometimes. But under a newly proposed procedure awaiting passage, radio stations will be required to pay out royalties to groups who have their music played.
In this day & age, with cutbacks being the norm, how are radio stations supposed to keep funding the artists when they're working with a small budget to begin with?
Radio, though it's been around longer than TV, is a smaller operation. It used to be gigantic until TV began signing away top radio stars of the day. Add to that the recent expansion of XM and Sirius satellite radio, and traditional stations are losing territory, coverage, advertisers and listeners.
The "Awareness for Fairness" bill will not promote continuous airplay simply because there would be too many songs to pay out for. Radio stations have staffs to take care of and pay for. Radio personalities are very passionate about what they do - perhaps more so than in other fields - but they likewise won't take a pay cut as anything more than a slap in the face.
It seems today's artists are more hungry for money than ever. They put the giving musicians, like U2's Bono, in the background when we should be profiling more of his humanitarian efforts. These artists will make more money in a month than Joe Q. Public will make in years. It makes it hard to understand why they are taxing the actual relief valves that play their music and make them known.
Please note than I am not totally against royalties in music. Songwriters & composers are already compensated (deservedly so, since they actually create the sound). Metallica had a legitimate gripe against Napster many years ago and chose not to have them carry their music. But this almost sounds like punishing a whole batch of apples for one rotten one. Once again, the scales of money distribution continue to tilt one way.
Unbelieveable to me is that Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, is on the panel recommending these payouts. Has she forgotten radio's humble roots, where one would be glad to receive notice?
You have to wonder if this could be the bell tolling for the demise of radio as we know it, if this crazy proposal passes. Rock groups need funding? Isn't that what touring and merchandising is for?
You can be a principal if you stay long
Owing to sheer boredom yesterday (25 calls in ten hours), my interest in viewing profiles on classmates.com grew again, so I decided to call up various profiles. It made for an interesting, reflective shift at work that, once again, was rarely interrupted by a phone call.
As expected, many of the people who were God's gift to popularity had the bigger profiles with photos and detailed life descriptions. It's almost like 20 years later, their egos still have to do the loud talking.
I will always remember the principal telling us at our commencement that our class was the "most united" group of students she'd ever seen. Sorry, but as an outsider not involved with the inner circle by choice or chance, I had to laugh. I thought "united" meant the entire class of 195.
Supposedly, we were "united" when the school's SADD chapter put on a scenario where two of our classmates perished in a drunken driver accident. Surprise, they were two of the jocks, the all-everythings, the clique members. Had it been me, the response would have been "Who's he?", and an all-school assembly would not have been thought of (SADD probably would have disqualified me anyway, to conceal hidden truths about how powerful a message to send).
Strangely enough in yesterday's findings, two of the more popular didn't even register anything but a name. No wonderful photos, no familiar stories about how they anchored the wrestling team, no reflections on what contribution they made to the senior class song. No automatic tears or tugs at the heart. This gave me a little gratification. Whether their egos were shot down or they just mellowed, they fell into the woodwork, which I've always been a part of. Who knows come reunion time?
The class branded me "teacher's helper" in the mock elections, which was rather appropriate, since I always got along with them better. So I went searching for some of my old elementary teachers. It turns out four of them became principals in their own right, and one headed the Catholic Youth Camp for 15 years.
The shocker was Ms. McPherson, now principal of a school in Roseville. This woman looked like a scarecrow, and that's how many thought of her. She took a liking to sending me in the hall for any transgression. I hated the ensuing lectures, where my attention turned to her eyes, which would go in circles, left & right, up & down. I couldn't think of a scarier fifth grade thought.
But she, along with the other three principals, were there all eight years I was. They had nearly eighty years' combined experience under the same principal, who was there nearly 25 years. So evidentally, he kept those teachers there because he knew they were good. Looking at the video footage of Ms. McPherson that the school's website provided, it seems like she certainly has mellowed into her role.
The heck with a 20th class reunion, I thought. What about a teacher's reunion? Somehow, the way they share stories would come out interesting, yet quieter, than the loudmouths I'm reading about on classmates.com.
I knew there was something to my formative school years that I was missing.
As expected, many of the people who were God's gift to popularity had the bigger profiles with photos and detailed life descriptions. It's almost like 20 years later, their egos still have to do the loud talking.
I will always remember the principal telling us at our commencement that our class was the "most united" group of students she'd ever seen. Sorry, but as an outsider not involved with the inner circle by choice or chance, I had to laugh. I thought "united" meant the entire class of 195.
Supposedly, we were "united" when the school's SADD chapter put on a scenario where two of our classmates perished in a drunken driver accident. Surprise, they were two of the jocks, the all-everythings, the clique members. Had it been me, the response would have been "Who's he?", and an all-school assembly would not have been thought of (SADD probably would have disqualified me anyway, to conceal hidden truths about how powerful a message to send).
Strangely enough in yesterday's findings, two of the more popular didn't even register anything but a name. No wonderful photos, no familiar stories about how they anchored the wrestling team, no reflections on what contribution they made to the senior class song. No automatic tears or tugs at the heart. This gave me a little gratification. Whether their egos were shot down or they just mellowed, they fell into the woodwork, which I've always been a part of. Who knows come reunion time?
The class branded me "teacher's helper" in the mock elections, which was rather appropriate, since I always got along with them better. So I went searching for some of my old elementary teachers. It turns out four of them became principals in their own right, and one headed the Catholic Youth Camp for 15 years.
The shocker was Ms. McPherson, now principal of a school in Roseville. This woman looked like a scarecrow, and that's how many thought of her. She took a liking to sending me in the hall for any transgression. I hated the ensuing lectures, where my attention turned to her eyes, which would go in circles, left & right, up & down. I couldn't think of a scarier fifth grade thought.
But she, along with the other three principals, were there all eight years I was. They had nearly eighty years' combined experience under the same principal, who was there nearly 25 years. So evidentally, he kept those teachers there because he knew they were good. Looking at the video footage of Ms. McPherson that the school's website provided, it seems like she certainly has mellowed into her role.
The heck with a 20th class reunion, I thought. What about a teacher's reunion? Somehow, the way they share stories would come out interesting, yet quieter, than the loudmouths I'm reading about on classmates.com.
I knew there was something to my formative school years that I was missing.
June 1, 2009
Good for them; it wasn't good for us
*** LATE NEWS: As part of their bankruptcy plan, GM is now welcome to tap into $15 billion in order to help with the reorganization process. Geez, it must be tough being bankrupt!
==========================
It would not have been a surprise to see me experience an auto accident today, laughing to myself as hard as possible. Today was supposedly doomsday for GM, the long-awaited announcement of bankruptcy, and what happens? The Dow Industrials close up over 200 points to their highest close in six months. Was this a collective sigh of relief for the Dow, knowing they no longer have to shoulder the burden of carrying GM among its 30 stocks?
Turns out what GM thought was good wasn't good enough for the country. If this were 25 years ago, I'd be a little more worried about how this would affect the economy. But GM has shown, thru poor products & inept management, that it lost touch with customers on both world hemispheres. What makes it worse, GM gets bankruptcy protection, while all the tax-payer stimulus money directed toward it has been burned up.
There's "special report" coverage all over the radio and TV. Yet I'm still surprised at the sheer force of the coverage, especially when we all knew this move was months in the making.
This reminds me of a time about ten years ago when my father tried to get me into work at Woodhaven Stamping Plant (Ford). I honestly couldn't picture myself working at a factory, and for years he had told me he'd rather not see me go through the intensive labor.
However, the prevailing thought then was the same thought of forty years prior: You get into an auto factory, you're set for life. Locally, it was the same with the chemical companies: Work for Wyandotte, and never worry. Machine shops were plentiful. There were many in a strip along Allen Rd. in Taylor. Get fired from one, just walk next door and there you have it. Anything with a mechanical aptitude was looked at with respect.
Based on historical thought alone, I could understand why my father may have been frustrated due to my lukewarm response to factory work. I now see where, in fact, such a career move would have been a huge error. These layoffs & drawbacks have no safety net; it's just a plunge taken by the victimized worker. And in my mental state, that would've been more catastrophic than anything I've experienced (and called bad) in my life.
Michigan's still going to kick itself regardless of what recovery program GM employs. We do not have a reliable backup industry that can help draw dollars & balance the budget.
What's bad for GM is bad for Michigan, and we have to live it out every day, whether we worked for them or not.
==========================
It would not have been a surprise to see me experience an auto accident today, laughing to myself as hard as possible. Today was supposedly doomsday for GM, the long-awaited announcement of bankruptcy, and what happens? The Dow Industrials close up over 200 points to their highest close in six months. Was this a collective sigh of relief for the Dow, knowing they no longer have to shoulder the burden of carrying GM among its 30 stocks?
Turns out what GM thought was good wasn't good enough for the country. If this were 25 years ago, I'd be a little more worried about how this would affect the economy. But GM has shown, thru poor products & inept management, that it lost touch with customers on both world hemispheres. What makes it worse, GM gets bankruptcy protection, while all the tax-payer stimulus money directed toward it has been burned up.
There's "special report" coverage all over the radio and TV. Yet I'm still surprised at the sheer force of the coverage, especially when we all knew this move was months in the making.
This reminds me of a time about ten years ago when my father tried to get me into work at Woodhaven Stamping Plant (Ford). I honestly couldn't picture myself working at a factory, and for years he had told me he'd rather not see me go through the intensive labor.
However, the prevailing thought then was the same thought of forty years prior: You get into an auto factory, you're set for life. Locally, it was the same with the chemical companies: Work for Wyandotte, and never worry. Machine shops were plentiful. There were many in a strip along Allen Rd. in Taylor. Get fired from one, just walk next door and there you have it. Anything with a mechanical aptitude was looked at with respect.
Based on historical thought alone, I could understand why my father may have been frustrated due to my lukewarm response to factory work. I now see where, in fact, such a career move would have been a huge error. These layoffs & drawbacks have no safety net; it's just a plunge taken by the victimized worker. And in my mental state, that would've been more catastrophic than anything I've experienced (and called bad) in my life.
Michigan's still going to kick itself regardless of what recovery program GM employs. We do not have a reliable backup industry that can help draw dollars & balance the budget.
What's bad for GM is bad for Michigan, and we have to live it out every day, whether we worked for them or not.
When LeBron does it, it's a good excuse
It's shades of the 1991 Detroit Pistons all over again, and is it any more acceptable now than it was then?
If you're LeBron James, the answer would be yes. But that would also get the Pistons team off the hook.
Sports "experts" still, on occasion, berate the Pistons organization for how they walked out of their final playoff game in 1991 vs. Chicago without even congratulating them. It was the ultimate show of bad sportsmanship and the height of team ego, showing up a harder-working team that deserved their way to the finals. This was perhaps the first sign that there was something lurking behind the smile of Isiah Thomas.
The media didn't give the players much chance to explain. They just reported what they saw: no handshakes for a good series or luck in the future series. The Pistons were seen as brats who didn't want to let go of the "Bad Boys" era.
Flash forward to this past weekend, where King LeBron makes a quick exit from courtside without well-wishes to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. LeBron claims there is an excuse, saying he doesn't believe in congratulating the advancing team (if it isn't his), and there was nothing personal in that inaction.
Why are we supposed to believe it now, just because LeBron and Kobe Bryant are Commissioner David Stern's pair of torches lighting the NBA? Is it because LeBron has Nike endorsements and the Pistons didn't? Or has the atmosphere of political correctness overtaken the NBA, and it's okay not to shake the hands of your opponent, a sign of good sportsmanship?
LeBron's actions are what they are in 2009. But this should also serve to lift the shroud of doubt that's been on an aging Pistons team since that day in 1991. If it's alright now, it should've been alright to walk off the court then, as well.
After all, don't we long for the days of yesteryear in the world, where everything seemed to be better than now?
If you're LeBron James, the answer would be yes. But that would also get the Pistons team off the hook.
Sports "experts" still, on occasion, berate the Pistons organization for how they walked out of their final playoff game in 1991 vs. Chicago without even congratulating them. It was the ultimate show of bad sportsmanship and the height of team ego, showing up a harder-working team that deserved their way to the finals. This was perhaps the first sign that there was something lurking behind the smile of Isiah Thomas.
The media didn't give the players much chance to explain. They just reported what they saw: no handshakes for a good series or luck in the future series. The Pistons were seen as brats who didn't want to let go of the "Bad Boys" era.
Flash forward to this past weekend, where King LeBron makes a quick exit from courtside without well-wishes to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. LeBron claims there is an excuse, saying he doesn't believe in congratulating the advancing team (if it isn't his), and there was nothing personal in that inaction.
Why are we supposed to believe it now, just because LeBron and Kobe Bryant are Commissioner David Stern's pair of torches lighting the NBA? Is it because LeBron has Nike endorsements and the Pistons didn't? Or has the atmosphere of political correctness overtaken the NBA, and it's okay not to shake the hands of your opponent, a sign of good sportsmanship?
LeBron's actions are what they are in 2009. But this should also serve to lift the shroud of doubt that's been on an aging Pistons team since that day in 1991. If it's alright now, it should've been alright to walk off the court then, as well.
After all, don't we long for the days of yesteryear in the world, where everything seemed to be better than now?
May 31, 2009
The pre-June chronicles
Miscellaneous ramblings for today:
* Craigslist seems to be more trouble than its worth... it seems to be a thin veil hiding scammers galore. The laptop computer we were selling was fortunately purchased by a co-worker of Steve's, thereby passing the Craigslist need altogether. He took a smack to the chops on the purchase price, but when it comes to asking $450 for a laptop, it better have more programs (such as PowerPoint) that his did not have. At least it enabled him to keep from asking me for more money to keep him afloat.
* The latest on the housing issue has me more dizzy than usual (what with two does of anti-allergy medication adding to the woes): signing up on Auction.com to attend a bidding seminar on June 21st in Novi. Apparently, through my guidance on the internet, he found one in Westland: a recent build (1999) with nearly 1,800 square feet, three bedroom/two baths, and Steve figures through a remortgage, it would only cost us $200 each monthly.
One thing he's not taken into account, though, is property & school taxes. As much as I try to obliterate all self-blame for the Wyandotte house mess of 2000, any homeowner knows his or her duties to the city. Steve has only worked half of his days this year due to various thought-of ailments. It's also never known whether they may shut night shift down at work, the way things are going. It's good to think positive and think "big", but we also have to think reality.
Plus, I actually don't want to be a homeowner, with all the stress & responsibility involved. The last thing I want is to have more square footage to be responsible for. I'm looking to downsize considerably. If the opposite extreme holds true and they make me 7 days a week, that's 90 hours per week, which will leave me NO time to tend to anything in the house. A motel room would actually be more conducive, though it will take time explaining my rationale to Steve. I actually want less square footage to be responsible for, not more.
Consider this: I'm 38, and have been with him for seven years. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with them, plus any children when they choose to do so. I'm not looking to move up in quality of housing; the desire is simply not there. The simpler & the smaller, the better. I took down information about a place a mile from here, which will cut the gas bill and enable me to earmark money towards one thing only: room rent. One room with functional bathroom and perhaps a kitchenette would probably work well. It also enables independence & solitude, which I find myself craving more & more each passing day.
No empty hands either: he has to have a good $5,000 in his hand (cashier's check) to even think of making it through this seminar in Novi. He'd better start working double-shifts no matter if he has a headache or not. He's not going to have much support in the matter from someone he's counting on. I'm tired of the constant shifts in thinking; the alternate plans deserve a book devoted to them.
Complications do not help simplification. I just want to keep it simple at this stage.
* I'm getting all sorts of encouragement from ex-classmates to upgrade a classmates.com membership. I'm one of those who are interested in the whereabouts of some high school classmates, but I'm not one to think about attending our 20th reunion, which would be this year if they choose to host one. The high school years were not fond ones, a college reunion would be a different story.
* Finally, I'm starting to thank myself for phasing yardwork out of my repetoire. The allergies kicked in late, but BOY, did they kick in. Garden projects have been put on hold because of the pending/not pending move, and I find myself not missing the exertion. Maybe those busted lawn utensils were trying to tell me something.
* Craigslist seems to be more trouble than its worth... it seems to be a thin veil hiding scammers galore. The laptop computer we were selling was fortunately purchased by a co-worker of Steve's, thereby passing the Craigslist need altogether. He took a smack to the chops on the purchase price, but when it comes to asking $450 for a laptop, it better have more programs (such as PowerPoint) that his did not have. At least it enabled him to keep from asking me for more money to keep him afloat.
* The latest on the housing issue has me more dizzy than usual (what with two does of anti-allergy medication adding to the woes): signing up on Auction.com to attend a bidding seminar on June 21st in Novi. Apparently, through my guidance on the internet, he found one in Westland: a recent build (1999) with nearly 1,800 square feet, three bedroom/two baths, and Steve figures through a remortgage, it would only cost us $200 each monthly.
One thing he's not taken into account, though, is property & school taxes. As much as I try to obliterate all self-blame for the Wyandotte house mess of 2000, any homeowner knows his or her duties to the city. Steve has only worked half of his days this year due to various thought-of ailments. It's also never known whether they may shut night shift down at work, the way things are going. It's good to think positive and think "big", but we also have to think reality.
Plus, I actually don't want to be a homeowner, with all the stress & responsibility involved. The last thing I want is to have more square footage to be responsible for. I'm looking to downsize considerably. If the opposite extreme holds true and they make me 7 days a week, that's 90 hours per week, which will leave me NO time to tend to anything in the house. A motel room would actually be more conducive, though it will take time explaining my rationale to Steve. I actually want less square footage to be responsible for, not more.
Consider this: I'm 38, and have been with him for seven years. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with them, plus any children when they choose to do so. I'm not looking to move up in quality of housing; the desire is simply not there. The simpler & the smaller, the better. I took down information about a place a mile from here, which will cut the gas bill and enable me to earmark money towards one thing only: room rent. One room with functional bathroom and perhaps a kitchenette would probably work well. It also enables independence & solitude, which I find myself craving more & more each passing day.
No empty hands either: he has to have a good $5,000 in his hand (cashier's check) to even think of making it through this seminar in Novi. He'd better start working double-shifts no matter if he has a headache or not. He's not going to have much support in the matter from someone he's counting on. I'm tired of the constant shifts in thinking; the alternate plans deserve a book devoted to them.
Complications do not help simplification. I just want to keep it simple at this stage.
* I'm getting all sorts of encouragement from ex-classmates to upgrade a classmates.com membership. I'm one of those who are interested in the whereabouts of some high school classmates, but I'm not one to think about attending our 20th reunion, which would be this year if they choose to host one. The high school years were not fond ones, a college reunion would be a different story.
* Finally, I'm starting to thank myself for phasing yardwork out of my repetoire. The allergies kicked in late, but BOY, did they kick in. Garden projects have been put on hold because of the pending/not pending move, and I find myself not missing the exertion. Maybe those busted lawn utensils were trying to tell me something.
May 29, 2009
Sarcasm alert: A little motel that could
I've spent the past couple days looking up hotel reviews in Niagara Falls, with an interest in just how far up or down the quality of those hotels have gone since my 2003 visit. I know most of these hotels/motels from nearly three dozen prior visits there.
Even before the recent hotel building splurge surrounding the casinos there, the inner city always had the best hotels because, obviously, the Falls are there. Once you get three miles west of the city, for instance, they become your average fare, like you'd find in suburban Detroit.
The Arkona Motel is on the extreme outskirts, and thumbing through AAA travel guides of the past, it was never one of the best. Neglect from potential customers has made the neglect of that facility worse. But isn't there a silver lining to everything?
Here is a post from the site, tripadvisor.com, that was meant to be fed into a sarcasm meter. Even if it's a prank, I found it funny because I know the area so well:
"Their pool was filled with nice water. I've never seen such a black parking lot with lines so straight before, it was quite attractive. The room had a bed, with a mattress too; I couldn't believe it. The yellow tint to the walls gave an antique look to the room. Once the black water from the taps was done running through and the smell had gone away, the cold water in the shower was really refreshing... Overall, my experience was amazing; I can't wait to go back and bring both my friends!"
And the "prankster" had the gall to give the motel a five-out-of-five rating! I wonder if the innkeeper let it go to his head.
What I can't believe, though, is how some of those motels manage to function. They're in a bad part of town, and many people report actual bedbugs in the furniture, filthy carpet, black mold in the shower, and awful stenches. It makes me wonder whether the Ontario Board Of Health is even interested in these outskirt motels.
Or are they worried about chips in the paint at the Casino hotel? With a roll of the dice, I'd probably be proven correct.
Even before the recent hotel building splurge surrounding the casinos there, the inner city always had the best hotels because, obviously, the Falls are there. Once you get three miles west of the city, for instance, they become your average fare, like you'd find in suburban Detroit.
The Arkona Motel is on the extreme outskirts, and thumbing through AAA travel guides of the past, it was never one of the best. Neglect from potential customers has made the neglect of that facility worse. But isn't there a silver lining to everything?
Here is a post from the site, tripadvisor.com, that was meant to be fed into a sarcasm meter. Even if it's a prank, I found it funny because I know the area so well:
"Their pool was filled with nice water. I've never seen such a black parking lot with lines so straight before, it was quite attractive. The room had a bed, with a mattress too; I couldn't believe it. The yellow tint to the walls gave an antique look to the room. Once the black water from the taps was done running through and the smell had gone away, the cold water in the shower was really refreshing... Overall, my experience was amazing; I can't wait to go back and bring both my friends!"
And the "prankster" had the gall to give the motel a five-out-of-five rating! I wonder if the innkeeper let it go to his head.
What I can't believe, though, is how some of those motels manage to function. They're in a bad part of town, and many people report actual bedbugs in the furniture, filthy carpet, black mold in the shower, and awful stenches. It makes me wonder whether the Ontario Board Of Health is even interested in these outskirt motels.
Or are they worried about chips in the paint at the Casino hotel? With a roll of the dice, I'd probably be proven correct.
May 28, 2009
Hacker Nelson Cruz hacked by yours truly
Thank goodness for two things:
First, for the sake of the house & bills, I'm thankful that it's another slow day behind the desk at work. I've spent nearly an hour with Steve on the phone, trying to prepare one of his laptop computers to be sold on Craigslist. It's my first venture into trying to sell something there, and I hope it turns out better than my eBay debacle of 2005.
But also, I'm thankful that Steve does security screening. His questions & directives over the phone have given me a slight headache, but better slight than stifling.
The laptop needs to be sold so Steve can help on the bills. The housing situation is crazy right now, with all sorts of possibilities popping up. He claims the laptop is worth $400, but no one around here wants to offer more than half that. Rather than chance eBay again, I tried Craigslist.
It seems to be a pretty good site, although its had rough news lately with one of its personal sections. There's plenty of options to flag suspicious ads, for instance. And I have found through user feedback that a lot of them in the job classification are shallow; trying to gyp honest job seekers by promising them good pay, and not delivering.
But a decent laptop should be sellable in an honest way, on the surface. Not so.
I received nine emails about it since yesterday. One offered to ante up and pay $550 provided it is shipped. Steve immediately said "Sold!" I was rather surprised at his instantaneous response, but he backed it up as he wanted a Google search done on the prospective buyer. The first entry landed me on another Craigslist response, highlighting the guy, Nelson Cruz, as one of the most notorious spammers with regard to electronics.
On the surface, it looks like we lost a seller and kissed away a potential $550. But all the problems with shipping "overseas", extra costs, providing required codes to a PayPal account and more have Mr. Cruz on notice with several sellers on Craigslist. Thank goodness for what I call the "dummy check", which would have made ALL of us dummies had we not checked.
Why spammers like Mr. Cruz delight in promoting bad PR on viable sites, and causing stress, headaches and more to innocent sellers like us is beyond me. He might know the guy recently busted for being the spam king of email. People who delight on others' discomfort are uncomfortable themselves, and should be prosecuted if found.
The internet, while a good thing, has to be watched. Good thing all four eyes (in this case) were open and alert.
First, for the sake of the house & bills, I'm thankful that it's another slow day behind the desk at work. I've spent nearly an hour with Steve on the phone, trying to prepare one of his laptop computers to be sold on Craigslist. It's my first venture into trying to sell something there, and I hope it turns out better than my eBay debacle of 2005.
But also, I'm thankful that Steve does security screening. His questions & directives over the phone have given me a slight headache, but better slight than stifling.
The laptop needs to be sold so Steve can help on the bills. The housing situation is crazy right now, with all sorts of possibilities popping up. He claims the laptop is worth $400, but no one around here wants to offer more than half that. Rather than chance eBay again, I tried Craigslist.
It seems to be a pretty good site, although its had rough news lately with one of its personal sections. There's plenty of options to flag suspicious ads, for instance. And I have found through user feedback that a lot of them in the job classification are shallow; trying to gyp honest job seekers by promising them good pay, and not delivering.
But a decent laptop should be sellable in an honest way, on the surface. Not so.
I received nine emails about it since yesterday. One offered to ante up and pay $550 provided it is shipped. Steve immediately said "Sold!" I was rather surprised at his instantaneous response, but he backed it up as he wanted a Google search done on the prospective buyer. The first entry landed me on another Craigslist response, highlighting the guy, Nelson Cruz, as one of the most notorious spammers with regard to electronics.
On the surface, it looks like we lost a seller and kissed away a potential $550. But all the problems with shipping "overseas", extra costs, providing required codes to a PayPal account and more have Mr. Cruz on notice with several sellers on Craigslist. Thank goodness for what I call the "dummy check", which would have made ALL of us dummies had we not checked.
Why spammers like Mr. Cruz delight in promoting bad PR on viable sites, and causing stress, headaches and more to innocent sellers like us is beyond me. He might know the guy recently busted for being the spam king of email. People who delight on others' discomfort are uncomfortable themselves, and should be prosecuted if found.
The internet, while a good thing, has to be watched. Good thing all four eyes (in this case) were open and alert.
May 27, 2009
The Headshaker Files, times two
Local news item... and no, I'm not fabricating the facts; these have been reported.
A father walks into the kitchen to see his daughter snacking on a biscuit - a biscuit marked for his consumption only. Granted, food rationing at its most extreme.
An altercation ensues. The father reportedly stabs the daughter ten times. Though injured, the daughter returns suit, killing the father, then is found later hiding outside. Yes, an assault over a single, solitary biscuit, when I'm sure there was more food in the refrigerator that they could have fairly split and eaten.
The "times two" occurred in the article's on-line reader feedback. People jokingly signing names such as "Pillsbury" commenting that the girl "is hot", "sat on a biscuit, never willing to risk it," and "So what? I've killed for less."
What a pathetic case of insensitivity, all the way around. It ranks among the top 5 I've ever witnessed all-time.
First, the incident: I might not totally understand the plight of the hungry, but there are soup kitchens in this area. Individual cities have surplus food drives. All they need to do is show proof of residency and they'll qualify. Pride of the ego may be sacrificed, but pride of survival ranks much higher.
I am not knocking the practice of labelling the food per se, since I've done it at our house, and for the most part it worked. If it didn't, though, the situation would never have come to simple blows, let alone what happened there.
Now, to call me an activist is not really accurate, since I'm hardly active enough as is. But for several weeks, I've left comments saying that the local newspaper in question is letting posters get away with murder on their commentaries. Any Joe or Jane Q. Public can leave comments on the site without having the true source of the comments being traced. Just be able to read a Captcha code, and you're in, regardless how lewd your comment is.
It's truly unbelievable what makes news these days. When I was raised in the 1970s & 80s, I don't think my parents could have foretold the extremes seen today. This, in addition to the gunman story of a few days back.
Where has the human chain of command gone so horribly wrong in recent years?
A father walks into the kitchen to see his daughter snacking on a biscuit - a biscuit marked for his consumption only. Granted, food rationing at its most extreme.
An altercation ensues. The father reportedly stabs the daughter ten times. Though injured, the daughter returns suit, killing the father, then is found later hiding outside. Yes, an assault over a single, solitary biscuit, when I'm sure there was more food in the refrigerator that they could have fairly split and eaten.
The "times two" occurred in the article's on-line reader feedback. People jokingly signing names such as "Pillsbury" commenting that the girl "is hot", "sat on a biscuit, never willing to risk it," and "So what? I've killed for less."
What a pathetic case of insensitivity, all the way around. It ranks among the top 5 I've ever witnessed all-time.
First, the incident: I might not totally understand the plight of the hungry, but there are soup kitchens in this area. Individual cities have surplus food drives. All they need to do is show proof of residency and they'll qualify. Pride of the ego may be sacrificed, but pride of survival ranks much higher.
I am not knocking the practice of labelling the food per se, since I've done it at our house, and for the most part it worked. If it didn't, though, the situation would never have come to simple blows, let alone what happened there.
Now, to call me an activist is not really accurate, since I'm hardly active enough as is. But for several weeks, I've left comments saying that the local newspaper in question is letting posters get away with murder on their commentaries. Any Joe or Jane Q. Public can leave comments on the site without having the true source of the comments being traced. Just be able to read a Captcha code, and you're in, regardless how lewd your comment is.
It's truly unbelievable what makes news these days. When I was raised in the 1970s & 80s, I don't think my parents could have foretold the extremes seen today. This, in addition to the gunman story of a few days back.
Where has the human chain of command gone so horribly wrong in recent years?
Why Detroit shouldn't fix what they broke
About a year ago, I YouTubed a video concerning the plight of Detroit Public School buildings that were abandoned, yet continued to house important, sensitive student & teacher records and books, which would be accessible to any vagrant. Joy Middle School, I believe, was the focus school as there was local community outrage over the story, originally posted in the Free Press.
Yesterday, it was reported that Joy School is in the process of being demolished. It's about damn time.
Continuing the theme of my previous post about funding projects, it was not stated in the article who's funding this demolition, but you can bet the city itself, or the DPS, did not loan one red cent. In other words, it's likely to be funded by a private contractor outside of city operations. This is a good thing!
Scanning the article and the public response blog, I was sure I would see a dissenting opinion, saying "Why doesn't Detroit get this project? Why aren't Detroit natives picked first to do the demolition?" It's just like they've been saying about Cobo Hall in recent months: "Why let it be taken over by a tri-county authority? Where's the preference for Detroit natives and city-based companies?" It's their indirect opinion that the people seeing the blight would be the ones responsible for correcting it.
Thank goodness the thought on this was: Just get it done; no matter the cost, no matter the type of personnel. The response time on Joy School is probably happening faster, under NO city control, than it would otherwise. To improve the quality of life in the city, the blight has to be demolished. The ultimate candidate should be ANY candidate that is capable of demolition. The focus shouldn't be on who does it, or where they live, but just to get it done so the neighborhoods can move forward.
Just a small step... but if the deal was brokered by new mayor Dave Bing, then he's off to a great start in office after mere weeks on the job.
Yesterday, it was reported that Joy School is in the process of being demolished. It's about damn time.
Continuing the theme of my previous post about funding projects, it was not stated in the article who's funding this demolition, but you can bet the city itself, or the DPS, did not loan one red cent. In other words, it's likely to be funded by a private contractor outside of city operations. This is a good thing!
Scanning the article and the public response blog, I was sure I would see a dissenting opinion, saying "Why doesn't Detroit get this project? Why aren't Detroit natives picked first to do the demolition?" It's just like they've been saying about Cobo Hall in recent months: "Why let it be taken over by a tri-county authority? Where's the preference for Detroit natives and city-based companies?" It's their indirect opinion that the people seeing the blight would be the ones responsible for correcting it.
Thank goodness the thought on this was: Just get it done; no matter the cost, no matter the type of personnel. The response time on Joy School is probably happening faster, under NO city control, than it would otherwise. To improve the quality of life in the city, the blight has to be demolished. The ultimate candidate should be ANY candidate that is capable of demolition. The focus shouldn't be on who does it, or where they live, but just to get it done so the neighborhoods can move forward.
Just a small step... but if the deal was brokered by new mayor Dave Bing, then he's off to a great start in office after mere weeks on the job.
May 26, 2009
Kids or Vets: Who's got the hunger
Many Detroit Tiger fans have written off the 2007 & 2008 seasons as bitter disappointments, given the amount of talent they've acquired. They've been hoping for a better 2009, and so far they've gotten it, for the most part.
However, some of the key components have either been injured or unable to perform well. Instead, kids from the farm system have stepped up and been noticed.
Take starting pitcher Rick Porcello, for instance. In his last few starts, he's been dominant, especially considering the club will be watching his pitch counts all year. Justin Verlander has evidentally put 2008 behind him as, once again, he looks like the dominator of old. If he doesn't win AL Pitcher of the Month, there's an injustice in baseball. Young Ryan Perry, walks aside, has taken over the seventh inning role and done well.
Offensively, the Tigers finally got a Braves trade right, as Josh Anderson has done well in limited playing time, and given the club sorely-needed speed. Clete Thomas came from Triple-A and had an immediate impact. And Miguel Cabrera has proven he's a hit machine time and again.
All this has resulted in a first place spot in the AL Central. But why may that not be the case for too long?
It's been implied by management that, as well as these kids have done, they have to make way for veterans coming off the DL soon. Magglio Ordonez, though not on the DL, is a case in point. He's always looked fragile in the outfield, so he would be more valued at DH, but he's off to a very slow start. There's simply no room for a $14 million singles hitter who, at age 34, could be losing it.
Then there's Carlos Guillen, whose career has seen better days. The uptempo focus of the club coincides with Guillen's stay on the DL. How can the Tigers expect him to cover ground in left field (with a huge power alley), when he looked feeble at third base, clueless at first base, and overmatched defensively at shortstop? There's no room for a DH-type that has driven in a total of five runs this year.
Starter Jeremy Bonderman is due to return soon after nearly a year off due to major surgery. How far do you trust his stuff after he's been on the shelf much of the past two years? Put him in the rotation, and endurance (plus those well-known bad 1st innings) will tax the bullpen. Put him in relief, and he'll balk. Put him in anywhere, with just a 2-pitch repertoire, and you're asking for trouble. Do you sacrifice the future for an unsure present?
In these three cases, money talks, if you look at their contracts. The Tigers, unfortunately, are where they were in 2000-2002; too many big contracts, and not enough suitors to take them on to get payroll flexibility. Remember how long it took them to shed Damion Easley's contract, and how long it took to rid themselves of Bobby Higginson's attitude? So much money is geared toward the injured & unproven. Their motivation to come back may just be the money. Will that be the Tigers' only motivation in playing them, because they're financially bound to?
It honestly would be a shame. Kids are hungry for action and a chance to prove themselves. That's one of the key factors that has helped the Tigers rise to first. Stirring the pot the other way may be a hindrance to an ultimate goal of the post-season.
With the Tigers, it's win or else. And I would hate to see what the "else" consists of, from the management down to the fans.
However, some of the key components have either been injured or unable to perform well. Instead, kids from the farm system have stepped up and been noticed.
Take starting pitcher Rick Porcello, for instance. In his last few starts, he's been dominant, especially considering the club will be watching his pitch counts all year. Justin Verlander has evidentally put 2008 behind him as, once again, he looks like the dominator of old. If he doesn't win AL Pitcher of the Month, there's an injustice in baseball. Young Ryan Perry, walks aside, has taken over the seventh inning role and done well.
Offensively, the Tigers finally got a Braves trade right, as Josh Anderson has done well in limited playing time, and given the club sorely-needed speed. Clete Thomas came from Triple-A and had an immediate impact. And Miguel Cabrera has proven he's a hit machine time and again.
All this has resulted in a first place spot in the AL Central. But why may that not be the case for too long?
It's been implied by management that, as well as these kids have done, they have to make way for veterans coming off the DL soon. Magglio Ordonez, though not on the DL, is a case in point. He's always looked fragile in the outfield, so he would be more valued at DH, but he's off to a very slow start. There's simply no room for a $14 million singles hitter who, at age 34, could be losing it.
Then there's Carlos Guillen, whose career has seen better days. The uptempo focus of the club coincides with Guillen's stay on the DL. How can the Tigers expect him to cover ground in left field (with a huge power alley), when he looked feeble at third base, clueless at first base, and overmatched defensively at shortstop? There's no room for a DH-type that has driven in a total of five runs this year.
Starter Jeremy Bonderman is due to return soon after nearly a year off due to major surgery. How far do you trust his stuff after he's been on the shelf much of the past two years? Put him in the rotation, and endurance (plus those well-known bad 1st innings) will tax the bullpen. Put him in relief, and he'll balk. Put him in anywhere, with just a 2-pitch repertoire, and you're asking for trouble. Do you sacrifice the future for an unsure present?
In these three cases, money talks, if you look at their contracts. The Tigers, unfortunately, are where they were in 2000-2002; too many big contracts, and not enough suitors to take them on to get payroll flexibility. Remember how long it took them to shed Damion Easley's contract, and how long it took to rid themselves of Bobby Higginson's attitude? So much money is geared toward the injured & unproven. Their motivation to come back may just be the money. Will that be the Tigers' only motivation in playing them, because they're financially bound to?
It honestly would be a shame. Kids are hungry for action and a chance to prove themselves. That's one of the key factors that has helped the Tigers rise to first. Stirring the pot the other way may be a hindrance to an ultimate goal of the post-season.
With the Tigers, it's win or else. And I would hate to see what the "else" consists of, from the management down to the fans.
Strange... Everyone says there's no funding
Michigan basks (for lack of a better, more truthful word) in a huge deficit that will produce very scary ramifications come September. Educational institutions are threatened to their core. Libraries close or merge. Recreation complexes on the municipal level are becoming piecemeal (and in Detroit, you might as well forget it). This means the future of the children born to lead this country in the future will be affected negatively.
To get to those ever-shrinking number of locations, we need to travel more, and in spite of the best efforts, the road is literally becoming bumpy again. For several years now, Michigan motorists have had to play "Dodge The Orange Barrel" on highways and local streets. We are supposed to be in a seven-year program that makes 90% of Michigan roads rated "good", yet word comes that highway funding will dry up unless stimulus money is put into the budget. Great, more of the pothole-laden mess that we've spent five years trying to avoid through all these detours and such.
And in all that red-ink panic, they're replacing all the traffic lights. Where is the funding coming from for those? And how are we able to support their installation when everyone is out there pushing the panic button?
In downtown Garden City, for instance, they're not only replacing the lights themselves, but also the old-style, decorative columns that support them... just ten years after they were first installed. On some of the other streets, instead of stringing the lights on one line, they're stringing together four lines, one in each direction, which increases the cost of labor & materials. And there's nothing really wrong with the traffic lights they're replacing. They simply want to push for LED lighting, which they claim will have cost savings in the future.
The future? What about now? What about the people & institutions that could use a cash infusion now? Will we base a future on what we know, what we've learned, and what institutions we learned from? Or will we base it on a beautiful traffic signal on a decorative column, designed to be asthetically pleasing and be a boom to downtown business?
Please! As long as there is a regular program to replace burnt bulbs on signals, can't their lifespan be extended a few more years while money goes to places that really need it?
To get to those ever-shrinking number of locations, we need to travel more, and in spite of the best efforts, the road is literally becoming bumpy again. For several years now, Michigan motorists have had to play "Dodge The Orange Barrel" on highways and local streets. We are supposed to be in a seven-year program that makes 90% of Michigan roads rated "good", yet word comes that highway funding will dry up unless stimulus money is put into the budget. Great, more of the pothole-laden mess that we've spent five years trying to avoid through all these detours and such.
And in all that red-ink panic, they're replacing all the traffic lights. Where is the funding coming from for those? And how are we able to support their installation when everyone is out there pushing the panic button?
In downtown Garden City, for instance, they're not only replacing the lights themselves, but also the old-style, decorative columns that support them... just ten years after they were first installed. On some of the other streets, instead of stringing the lights on one line, they're stringing together four lines, one in each direction, which increases the cost of labor & materials. And there's nothing really wrong with the traffic lights they're replacing. They simply want to push for LED lighting, which they claim will have cost savings in the future.
The future? What about now? What about the people & institutions that could use a cash infusion now? Will we base a future on what we know, what we've learned, and what institutions we learned from? Or will we base it on a beautiful traffic signal on a decorative column, designed to be asthetically pleasing and be a boom to downtown business?
Please! As long as there is a regular program to replace burnt bulbs on signals, can't their lifespan be extended a few more years while money goes to places that really need it?
May 25, 2009
The church bends on traditionalism
The Catholic Church is getting wired. And as a practicing Catholic (in my youth), it sounds kind of strange.
The Pope and Vatican now have a YouTube page, and they have recently debuted a Facebook page as well. Symbolically, I am sure it is a continuation of reaching out to young Catholics, which began in earnest with Pope John Paul II's World Youth Day.
Though not actively participating right now, I still find myself a staunch traditionalist. The church has retained the same prayers, and still uses some of the old hymns. An institution that is thousands of years old, modernizing in the way, doesn't feel right for some reason.
I know the church has had image problems with its priests. It also has had great difficulty in encouraging the youth to commit to the priesthood. Opportunities for Catholic education are fewer & further between (my old high school, Catholic-based, closed its doors years ago, and many old elementary schools are now leased by the churches in this area to individual, independent academies). So one would think an extreme positive dose of good PR is the best solution.
Why it doesn't seem right to me, I can't explain. You run risks on YouTube. Every member is entitled to their say, yet you run the risk of spammers, or even legitimate people, posting lewd comments that cloud the religion. I shudder to think of some of the comments already on the YouTube page. For the sake of the traditionalists and those very close to their religion, I hope the Vatican has eliminated (or is closely watching) any commentary.
And Facebook... Other than Twitter, what better and more modern way to communicate? Again, however, those run the same risks. What if a spammer decides to hit the site and it becomes news? The church doesn't need any more hurtful stories in the press.
Plus, it's odd in another way. Senator Carl Levin, up in his 70s now, admits he doesn't follow the Facebook or Twitter trends. It's hard for me to imagine the Pope, who is 82, understanding this technology and how to reach others with it. Not to say it can't be done, and it would be great if the Pope had this understanding. But something about it doesn't mix, to me.
Now excuse me as I recover from the bolt of lightning that's undoubtedly about to hit me.
The Pope and Vatican now have a YouTube page, and they have recently debuted a Facebook page as well. Symbolically, I am sure it is a continuation of reaching out to young Catholics, which began in earnest with Pope John Paul II's World Youth Day.
Though not actively participating right now, I still find myself a staunch traditionalist. The church has retained the same prayers, and still uses some of the old hymns. An institution that is thousands of years old, modernizing in the way, doesn't feel right for some reason.
I know the church has had image problems with its priests. It also has had great difficulty in encouraging the youth to commit to the priesthood. Opportunities for Catholic education are fewer & further between (my old high school, Catholic-based, closed its doors years ago, and many old elementary schools are now leased by the churches in this area to individual, independent academies). So one would think an extreme positive dose of good PR is the best solution.
Why it doesn't seem right to me, I can't explain. You run risks on YouTube. Every member is entitled to their say, yet you run the risk of spammers, or even legitimate people, posting lewd comments that cloud the religion. I shudder to think of some of the comments already on the YouTube page. For the sake of the traditionalists and those very close to their religion, I hope the Vatican has eliminated (or is closely watching) any commentary.
And Facebook... Other than Twitter, what better and more modern way to communicate? Again, however, those run the same risks. What if a spammer decides to hit the site and it becomes news? The church doesn't need any more hurtful stories in the press.
Plus, it's odd in another way. Senator Carl Levin, up in his 70s now, admits he doesn't follow the Facebook or Twitter trends. It's hard for me to imagine the Pope, who is 82, understanding this technology and how to reach others with it. Not to say it can't be done, and it would be great if the Pope had this understanding. But something about it doesn't mix, to me.
Now excuse me as I recover from the bolt of lightning that's undoubtedly about to hit me.
Old car vs. Old home: Troubleshooting
What's the best way to escape an insurmountable electric bill? Move! Or so I'm told.
But despite that very lofty bar standing in our way, a mental checklist is being prepared by all of us (including Eden), telling us that moving may well be the best thing to do. Perhaps after six years, it's time, considering what they call the "physical plant" condition of the house.
I made a list of things wrong with my old Ford Contour just before I got rid of it for a mere pittance. Seventeen different things were wrong with it, and not all of them minor. Three of them kept it from being legally road-worthy. Regarding the house, the city will have a field day if they inspected it, and the landlord -- nice a guy as he is -- would probably try to take refuge in that field.
There's a central air system that's been half-installed going on four years now. Water heaters usually last about 15 years... well, happy 15th anniversary, knocking tank! The fridge is whining. The gutters sag & flood the eaves, and the downspouts don't drain right. Steve says there's a heat loss (although I'm sure his mouth could replenish some of it). All told, the number of house defects are fast approaching the number of vehicle defects. The landlord has talked about selling the place if we left, but that's where the "field day" comes in. That place is a code violation trap. Not to say any of us are ungrateful about having four walls & a ceiling above our heads, but I worry about a cash cow status that might befall the landlord.
But moving is our call; we being the customers of the landlord, and isn't the customer always right, hurtful though it may be?
Stay tuned.
But despite that very lofty bar standing in our way, a mental checklist is being prepared by all of us (including Eden), telling us that moving may well be the best thing to do. Perhaps after six years, it's time, considering what they call the "physical plant" condition of the house.
I made a list of things wrong with my old Ford Contour just before I got rid of it for a mere pittance. Seventeen different things were wrong with it, and not all of them minor. Three of them kept it from being legally road-worthy. Regarding the house, the city will have a field day if they inspected it, and the landlord -- nice a guy as he is -- would probably try to take refuge in that field.
There's a central air system that's been half-installed going on four years now. Water heaters usually last about 15 years... well, happy 15th anniversary, knocking tank! The fridge is whining. The gutters sag & flood the eaves, and the downspouts don't drain right. Steve says there's a heat loss (although I'm sure his mouth could replenish some of it). All told, the number of house defects are fast approaching the number of vehicle defects. The landlord has talked about selling the place if we left, but that's where the "field day" comes in. That place is a code violation trap. Not to say any of us are ungrateful about having four walls & a ceiling above our heads, but I worry about a cash cow status that might befall the landlord.
But moving is our call; we being the customers of the landlord, and isn't the customer always right, hurtful though it may be?
Stay tuned.
May 24, 2009
Because it's there
We're losing so many autoworkers to downsizing. Why can't the same apply to Detroit city councilmembers, and heads of various departments?
Now the latest story, reported in the Free Press, has councilmember Jo Ann Watson in a spite of trouble for underpaying her taxes. Perhaps not a blatant oversight on her part, since the property has been underassessed.
WAY underassessed.
All told, Watson paid $68 in taxes in her relatively modest east-side home. Detroit records go one step further into absurtity: They say the house doesn't exist, and hasn't for over a decade - even though the Free Press shows a photo of Watson exiting said house on a recent day!
First, when you think of council members there, you wonder what Oscar-winning stories you'll witness. And Watson proves she's as good as Martha Reeves, Monica Conyers and the rest. She said there was damage to the home from a tornado that hit, either in 1993 or 2002.
Um, for an incident as big as a tornado hitting your house, you would think you knew where you were at the exact moment, with a time and date stamped in your mind. You would think receipts exist that shows dates of needed repair work. No mention of this. Not even a question posed to the city in the years forthcoming, questioning why her assessment changed so drastically.
Okay, that last statement sounds foolish. Who would volunteer to pay more taxes in such a depressed economy? It does sound like a kiss-up label on the surface. But since honesty is in rare stock these days, it would be nice to show some. And I was about to shower the woman with complaints that she's hiding something, until I read at the bottom of the page that she is going to rectify the problem, after all.
My God, someone on the council actually earns brownie points from a candid observer!
But the points and honesty levels are both next to nil. This goes to show, more than ever, how tied up Detroit departments are with gross negligence. Whether the sheer size of the city is the issue or not, a competent department should be able to keep better records. A decade of misclassification is a farce at its best. Those at the assessment department probably saw the article and thought it was a fabrication. It wouldn't be a surprise if they continue to believe it as such, and not send a field worker down there to verify the existence of something that's been there since 1926.
It makes you wonder whether cities like Detroit, or neighboring Ecorse (fighting a deficit due to mismanagement for the second time in 15 years) will ever recover.
Perhaps the former Ecorse city controller said it best in a recent interview: Maybe the people don't want change.
And perhaps newspapers want to continue selling subscriptions.
Now the latest story, reported in the Free Press, has councilmember Jo Ann Watson in a spite of trouble for underpaying her taxes. Perhaps not a blatant oversight on her part, since the property has been underassessed.
WAY underassessed.
All told, Watson paid $68 in taxes in her relatively modest east-side home. Detroit records go one step further into absurtity: They say the house doesn't exist, and hasn't for over a decade - even though the Free Press shows a photo of Watson exiting said house on a recent day!
First, when you think of council members there, you wonder what Oscar-winning stories you'll witness. And Watson proves she's as good as Martha Reeves, Monica Conyers and the rest. She said there was damage to the home from a tornado that hit, either in 1993 or 2002.
Um, for an incident as big as a tornado hitting your house, you would think you knew where you were at the exact moment, with a time and date stamped in your mind. You would think receipts exist that shows dates of needed repair work. No mention of this. Not even a question posed to the city in the years forthcoming, questioning why her assessment changed so drastically.
Okay, that last statement sounds foolish. Who would volunteer to pay more taxes in such a depressed economy? It does sound like a kiss-up label on the surface. But since honesty is in rare stock these days, it would be nice to show some. And I was about to shower the woman with complaints that she's hiding something, until I read at the bottom of the page that she is going to rectify the problem, after all.
My God, someone on the council actually earns brownie points from a candid observer!
But the points and honesty levels are both next to nil. This goes to show, more than ever, how tied up Detroit departments are with gross negligence. Whether the sheer size of the city is the issue or not, a competent department should be able to keep better records. A decade of misclassification is a farce at its best. Those at the assessment department probably saw the article and thought it was a fabrication. It wouldn't be a surprise if they continue to believe it as such, and not send a field worker down there to verify the existence of something that's been there since 1926.
It makes you wonder whether cities like Detroit, or neighboring Ecorse (fighting a deficit due to mismanagement for the second time in 15 years) will ever recover.
Perhaps the former Ecorse city controller said it best in a recent interview: Maybe the people don't want change.
And perhaps newspapers want to continue selling subscriptions.
May 23, 2009
Save buckshot for the new studios
Just read about a frightening situation in Allen Park, where a barricaded gunman was held at bay for nearly six hours, while reportedly shooting nearly 100 loads of ammunition at officers from Michigan State, Sterling Heights, and local police. At last report, the man was found dead in his home, which was to be foreclosed at that time.
There have been some confusing reports surrounding the man's identity, his life, and his motive. Supposedly, he helped author a weight-loss book. He was described by neighbors as a creepy individual, but the way he went out was creepier than any description someone could give him.
Allen Park is breaking ground on a new film studio barely a mile west of the shooting site. All sorts of productions will occur there, including (I'm sure) some gunfight scenes. Staged scenes, while I'm not a fan of them, will go better in those studios than they do in real life.
You never think the violence you read about can come near you, or even affect you directly, until you read that it IS happening locally.
I theorized in this space about two years ago about the donut-hole theory that urban sprawl is. What experts tragically fail to mention is that urban sprawl is more than constant build-up outwards from a central city. With the bad, you get the really bad.
Let's hope and pray this is only an isolated incident.
There have been some confusing reports surrounding the man's identity, his life, and his motive. Supposedly, he helped author a weight-loss book. He was described by neighbors as a creepy individual, but the way he went out was creepier than any description someone could give him.
Allen Park is breaking ground on a new film studio barely a mile west of the shooting site. All sorts of productions will occur there, including (I'm sure) some gunfight scenes. Staged scenes, while I'm not a fan of them, will go better in those studios than they do in real life.
You never think the violence you read about can come near you, or even affect you directly, until you read that it IS happening locally.
I theorized in this space about two years ago about the donut-hole theory that urban sprawl is. What experts tragically fail to mention is that urban sprawl is more than constant build-up outwards from a central city. With the bad, you get the really bad.
Let's hope and pray this is only an isolated incident.
May 22, 2009
Does the floor match the red ink?
We trudge forward with more head-shakers from the City of Detroit.
The good news: City Council realizes that the budget deficit is growing worse (almost $300 million), and now they're putting on a game face (supposedly) and planning to cut each councilmember's individual outlay for the year.
Amounts spent in the last fiscal year ranged from $5,959 to nearly $340,000 to cover everything from additional hires to office supplies & equipment.
Of course, Monica Conyers remains the most mystifying. How she values the practicality of money differs from about 6.2 billion of us worldwide. For example, nearly $7,000 was spent on police protection for herself during visits to three U.S. cities (she probably worries she's a target -- ah, don't get us started on that). And almost $6,200 in new carpeting for her office, while nary a penny more can be saved up to fix the streetlighting or tend to the neighborhoods.
Thirteen-thousand-two-hundred dollars. And what does her spokesperson say? "All of these expenses were official business."
Maybe the guy who nearly had his classic car ruined by leaky water at the Auto Show at Cobo Hall this past year has a grave he'd want to turn over in. Simply crazy. Drawing on yesterday's entry, would you want to build a bridge here?
-------------------------------------
All my Saturday running (bills, groceries & such) are being pushed to later today, because I am also working Saturday, which technically makes me working seven days this week. And what a run it will be: over 100 miles here & there.
Tell the truth, I find myself doing more for the good of the house then I swore I'd do two weeks ago. Any move with Laura, or anywhere else, couldn't be further from my mind. And that's a shame; I didn't intend it to turn out so negatively. There's no finger-pointing, no one's at fault. These days, you need every safety net you can get, while cutting out the risk factors.
That's the 21st century for us, so far.
The good news: City Council realizes that the budget deficit is growing worse (almost $300 million), and now they're putting on a game face (supposedly) and planning to cut each councilmember's individual outlay for the year.
Amounts spent in the last fiscal year ranged from $5,959 to nearly $340,000 to cover everything from additional hires to office supplies & equipment.
Of course, Monica Conyers remains the most mystifying. How she values the practicality of money differs from about 6.2 billion of us worldwide. For example, nearly $7,000 was spent on police protection for herself during visits to three U.S. cities (she probably worries she's a target -- ah, don't get us started on that). And almost $6,200 in new carpeting for her office, while nary a penny more can be saved up to fix the streetlighting or tend to the neighborhoods.
Thirteen-thousand-two-hundred dollars. And what does her spokesperson say? "All of these expenses were official business."
Maybe the guy who nearly had his classic car ruined by leaky water at the Auto Show at Cobo Hall this past year has a grave he'd want to turn over in. Simply crazy. Drawing on yesterday's entry, would you want to build a bridge here?
-------------------------------------
All my Saturday running (bills, groceries & such) are being pushed to later today, because I am also working Saturday, which technically makes me working seven days this week. And what a run it will be: over 100 miles here & there.
Tell the truth, I find myself doing more for the good of the house then I swore I'd do two weeks ago. Any move with Laura, or anywhere else, couldn't be further from my mind. And that's a shame; I didn't intend it to turn out so negatively. There's no finger-pointing, no one's at fault. These days, you need every safety net you can get, while cutting out the risk factors.
That's the 21st century for us, so far.
May 21, 2009
Sarah Palin, here's a bridge for you
Of course, this would be a bridge to somewhere if you're looking from the United States to Canada. But a bridge to nowhere if you're from the other side.
Over the past six months, the debate has heated up again about the need for a second international bridge crossing in the Detroit area. The Ambassador Bridge is currently eighty-something, and cannot handle the "increased" truck traffic that has appeared recently. The Ambassador Bridge owner (Marty Mouron), who many claim is imperialistic, wants to build the second span right next to the current bridge, which would only be used in emergencies. Two bridges within yards of each other, with a completely different design, would just reek havoc to the eye.
Looks are not the focus here, though. The alternate site chosen for a span is from Sandwich, Ontario to Delray. Yes, Delray, the poorest part of Detroit, one where you wouldn't be caught dead during the daylight hours.
It was (and still is) an embarassment coming back to Michigan from Canada. Once you pass inspection, you're thrown right into a neighborhood of burnt-shell housing and one car-gobbling pothole after another. What's the first hotel you'd see? The Hotel Yorba, which doesn't look like it's been updated in 50 years. What a distressing image.
But what do you get in Delray? Entire city blocks of overgrown weeds, more burnt-shell housing, and factory pollution. And virtually NO highway infrastructure in place. You trust the rickety Rouge River Bridge enough to place more Canada-bound traffic on it?
At least the Ambassador site has some infrastructure in place, it's already acquired its space, and it's already thought ahead by building the bridge & piers already right to the water's edge. So the stub of the bridge is technically already in place. Argument over?
You would think so, but it's not. One just has to judge Mouron's track record & personality (and longtime residents already have that burned into their minds) to question his motives right away. Development of land? It took him over 20 years to acknowledge there may be something wrong with the abandoned Michigan Central train station. Unsecured, unsanitary and unsafe. Twenty years where he could have made a difference, and did not -- where it's been him against the people. An eighty-year old man won't change his ways unless more greenbacks are exchanged.
But do travellers want a good first impression, especially during a first visit to our country? Undoubtedly. But they won't get it in Delray. Does anybody down there care what their properties look like? Do they even mow the vacant fields? A bridge there certainly isn't going to motivate the people.
Detroit, Windsor, Mouron, members of the Detroit International Bridge Commission and others should turn to Port Huron and ask them how they made the doubling of the Blue Water Bridge crossing work. They fit in seamlessly with their environment. You can get off the bridge and go to a store - unarmed and unafraid. And you won't find their City Council in the news every day.
If we are so important to good border relations in providing the biggest amount of free trade from two points in North America, shouldn't people be doing a little more homework? If it takes years to figure it out, so what? Thoughtful homework looks a lot better, when all is said & done, then snap decisions.
Over the past six months, the debate has heated up again about the need for a second international bridge crossing in the Detroit area. The Ambassador Bridge is currently eighty-something, and cannot handle the "increased" truck traffic that has appeared recently. The Ambassador Bridge owner (Marty Mouron), who many claim is imperialistic, wants to build the second span right next to the current bridge, which would only be used in emergencies. Two bridges within yards of each other, with a completely different design, would just reek havoc to the eye.
Looks are not the focus here, though. The alternate site chosen for a span is from Sandwich, Ontario to Delray. Yes, Delray, the poorest part of Detroit, one where you wouldn't be caught dead during the daylight hours.
It was (and still is) an embarassment coming back to Michigan from Canada. Once you pass inspection, you're thrown right into a neighborhood of burnt-shell housing and one car-gobbling pothole after another. What's the first hotel you'd see? The Hotel Yorba, which doesn't look like it's been updated in 50 years. What a distressing image.
But what do you get in Delray? Entire city blocks of overgrown weeds, more burnt-shell housing, and factory pollution. And virtually NO highway infrastructure in place. You trust the rickety Rouge River Bridge enough to place more Canada-bound traffic on it?
At least the Ambassador site has some infrastructure in place, it's already acquired its space, and it's already thought ahead by building the bridge & piers already right to the water's edge. So the stub of the bridge is technically already in place. Argument over?
You would think so, but it's not. One just has to judge Mouron's track record & personality (and longtime residents already have that burned into their minds) to question his motives right away. Development of land? It took him over 20 years to acknowledge there may be something wrong with the abandoned Michigan Central train station. Unsecured, unsanitary and unsafe. Twenty years where he could have made a difference, and did not -- where it's been him against the people. An eighty-year old man won't change his ways unless more greenbacks are exchanged.
But do travellers want a good first impression, especially during a first visit to our country? Undoubtedly. But they won't get it in Delray. Does anybody down there care what their properties look like? Do they even mow the vacant fields? A bridge there certainly isn't going to motivate the people.
Detroit, Windsor, Mouron, members of the Detroit International Bridge Commission and others should turn to Port Huron and ask them how they made the doubling of the Blue Water Bridge crossing work. They fit in seamlessly with their environment. You can get off the bridge and go to a store - unarmed and unafraid. And you won't find their City Council in the news every day.
If we are so important to good border relations in providing the biggest amount of free trade from two points in North America, shouldn't people be doing a little more homework? If it takes years to figure it out, so what? Thoughtful homework looks a lot better, when all is said & done, then snap decisions.
May 20, 2009
Another tell-tale sign of trouble
Since I moved over to the dispatch desk in November, and with me going about six weeks without a car in the winter, my attention shifted away from gas prices. They were running pretty good at about $1.85 when I last drove a cab around Thanksgiving.
Now I walk in, and gas is nearly $2.50 per gallon with credit card; $2.40 without. This shows there's really going to be trouble brewing, to where the 2008 debacle which we thought was bad will look like a walk in the park.
I still claim that last year's run to $4 gas was the last straw that began the auto industry's woes. Then the prices went down, but that was before the talk about government bailout & bankruptcy restructuring became common. Now we read that the feds are sending bailout payments around $7 billion to both GM & Chrysler-Fiat. And gas is on the fast track to breaking the $4 or $5 barriers by July 4th.
Michigan unemployment is at 12.9%. With factory and supplier shutdowns, some are predicting 18-20% unemployment by Christmas. Chrysler-Fiat factories are to be idled 90 days during the summer... just perfect timing for high gas prices.
What will happen then? Probably another quick re-think among auto management, more stringent standards from the Obama administration, less consumer confidence, and yet another blow to Michigan: a state that's swimming in red ink already.
The book of horrors may just be getting started.
P.S.: I can't help but note my father worked at Ford for 31 years. Hmmm... haven't heard any requests for bailouts from them, have we? I guess my father knew where to work!
Now I walk in, and gas is nearly $2.50 per gallon with credit card; $2.40 without. This shows there's really going to be trouble brewing, to where the 2008 debacle which we thought was bad will look like a walk in the park.
I still claim that last year's run to $4 gas was the last straw that began the auto industry's woes. Then the prices went down, but that was before the talk about government bailout & bankruptcy restructuring became common. Now we read that the feds are sending bailout payments around $7 billion to both GM & Chrysler-Fiat. And gas is on the fast track to breaking the $4 or $5 barriers by July 4th.
Michigan unemployment is at 12.9%. With factory and supplier shutdowns, some are predicting 18-20% unemployment by Christmas. Chrysler-Fiat factories are to be idled 90 days during the summer... just perfect timing for high gas prices.
What will happen then? Probably another quick re-think among auto management, more stringent standards from the Obama administration, less consumer confidence, and yet another blow to Michigan: a state that's swimming in red ink already.
The book of horrors may just be getting started.
P.S.: I can't help but note my father worked at Ford for 31 years. Hmmm... haven't heard any requests for bailouts from them, have we? I guess my father knew where to work!
May 18, 2009
Since no one uses a cab anymore...
... May as well sum up the goings-on in my life lately.
* As you can tell by the subject line, business continues to decline at the cab. When I first hired in, we could do 35-45 calls per night. Now we're lucky if we top off at 30. The recession is hitting everywhere, and the bar calls have literally vanished. Many drivers see empty bar parking lots no matter what time of night it is. The price of having a good time in life seems to have been raised above most peoples' ability to pay. Maybe it's good that they're not getting drunk and becoming menaces to society, but that's what we put our business into! The business model is just not working, and I'm not apt to say anything about it. We can't dictate how well the company does, the economic conditions do that. Safe to say they've spoken loud and clear. I can't say I'm surprised.
I do root for the construction of a major production studio in Allen Park that should have been commenced by now. 3,500 jobs in my craft waiting, and hopefully I can snag one of those without having to be an Allen Park resident.
* Another relationship is off. Why do I even bother at this point? This relationship has been called off due to friendship. Remember, Laura has been there through it all with me, thick and thin, when others (Jenni, Mike, George, Sheila, etc.) have not. The key to this relationship would have been the strong foundation of our six years of friendship. Two weeks ago, we were even thinking about moving together.
Now as much as I say I try not to put the blinders on when pursuing something, that I look both ways before I do so, that's not the case. Without Laura's call saying she'd be "stupid for not saying this", I probably would've been stupid enough to let it proceed and fail. First and foremost, she was not stupid, and she's not been overthinking. I've been underthinking. And I'm sorry it's resulted in yet another long gap in-between conversations, but I've honestly given it a great deal of thought. She mentioned that a botched move would kill the friendship, and she would most likely be right. I don't want to risk physical proof of this, in order to avoid the damaging end result. She wants to move back to the city, and I'd love to see that happen. But with me would be a liability.
I've backed off for now to cool things off. Normally, if I'm involved romantically with someone, or have the opportunity to, there are times I get excited about that person, or imagine a romantic scenario. For some reason, a romantic moment with her cannot be imagined. A romantic rendezvous would almost seem like it would kill anything that was built for six years.
For now, I will chalk it up as crazy talk on both our parts. Perhaps sharing what our ideal lives would be like - in bliss - was meant to be shared, thought about and smiled at. But no further. Both of us are not the easiest people in the world to get along with. Why move, only to find things that turn us off, and realize that hey, we're stuck? Would that improve a friendship & working relationship? Not at all.
For some reason, it's just hard to communicate that verbally. I hope any hurt is at a minimum. Thank goodness most of it is likely averted because we didn't actually set the ball rolling on any move.
Which doesn't necessarily mean any type of move is out of the question. Sometimes, I wonder about motel life. Higher rent, but no utilities. And much less area to be responsible for. I don't even bother with the yardwork now; neighbor Lisa takes care of that. It's hell pushing a lawn mower, especially one that works. And I've already broken my lawn care appliance for the year (the leaf chopper)!
* Steve's wife, Eden, is now with us at last... four long years of waiting on Steve's part is finally over. She seems pretty nice, and the housekeeping issue - long a source of frustration for me - has been taken care of. She is the neat-nik I advertised in this space two years ago.
Now we're in the midst of a huge energy conservation program at the house, which I think borders on the ridiculous. Eliminating the dishwasher was okay, but throwing out the microwave? Unplugging the fridge at night? Having taken the time to measure jumps in the electric meter when one turns appliances on and off? Let's bring out the candles! It's way to the other extreme here, and compromise must take place. I can cut down on some uses, but eliminating them altogether is mind-boggling.
* New car in the fold again - a 1999 Ford Taurus. Other than a slight rod knock and a bad wiper arm, it runs great, the best since the white Sable of 2002-04. I got hosed one final time when unloading the damn Contour, a salvage company advertised guaranteed $150 payout for any car, running or not. What did I get? $75, that's all. The tower noted the busted headlamp lens, the gash on the rear bumper... thank goodness they didn't inspect the inside, or I'd been out the money. Do they expect perfection? I mean, the thing DID run. Just not too well.
* Irene passed away just after New Year's, and in March, relative Gary reared his ugly head and basically dispossessed Diane, Dawn & Dylan from staying there. I spent my birthday helping them move stuff from house to house... this being the day I also got the Taurus. I paid them a visit at the other house Friday, and Dawn got approved for a real fix-me-upper further south, but only about a mile from us. Hope she throws a nice housewarming party. It's weird, though, knowing we don't have to keep an eye on that house anymore. I have no compassion for that family after what they did. The memories are haunting in that house, and probably always will be, especially since it's only known Irene as its owner.
* Physically, I am decent, though I've continued to put on weight, and I found that 2 1/2 games of bowling are about my limit now. Not due to my back, but due to age. My dad was about my age when he realized he couldn't hack it for too much longer.
* And dad's doing well, but it's a little painful to realize he's now 64, not the big hulking guy I knew in my youth, or the guy who broke swim records at his middle school. I guess I'm getting to the point where I realize, more & more, what age can do to a person... age as well as distance, and the infrequency of seeing that person.
And I wrote all this without a phone call coming to the office! Good thing I'm paid for inactivity, but I feel for these drivers who think I've forgotten about them; I used to be one of them.
Will I continue to update regularly on this blog? Depends on the economy... :)
* As you can tell by the subject line, business continues to decline at the cab. When I first hired in, we could do 35-45 calls per night. Now we're lucky if we top off at 30. The recession is hitting everywhere, and the bar calls have literally vanished. Many drivers see empty bar parking lots no matter what time of night it is. The price of having a good time in life seems to have been raised above most peoples' ability to pay. Maybe it's good that they're not getting drunk and becoming menaces to society, but that's what we put our business into! The business model is just not working, and I'm not apt to say anything about it. We can't dictate how well the company does, the economic conditions do that. Safe to say they've spoken loud and clear. I can't say I'm surprised.
I do root for the construction of a major production studio in Allen Park that should have been commenced by now. 3,500 jobs in my craft waiting, and hopefully I can snag one of those without having to be an Allen Park resident.
* Another relationship is off. Why do I even bother at this point? This relationship has been called off due to friendship. Remember, Laura has been there through it all with me, thick and thin, when others (Jenni, Mike, George, Sheila, etc.) have not. The key to this relationship would have been the strong foundation of our six years of friendship. Two weeks ago, we were even thinking about moving together.
Now as much as I say I try not to put the blinders on when pursuing something, that I look both ways before I do so, that's not the case. Without Laura's call saying she'd be "stupid for not saying this", I probably would've been stupid enough to let it proceed and fail. First and foremost, she was not stupid, and she's not been overthinking. I've been underthinking. And I'm sorry it's resulted in yet another long gap in-between conversations, but I've honestly given it a great deal of thought. She mentioned that a botched move would kill the friendship, and she would most likely be right. I don't want to risk physical proof of this, in order to avoid the damaging end result. She wants to move back to the city, and I'd love to see that happen. But with me would be a liability.
I've backed off for now to cool things off. Normally, if I'm involved romantically with someone, or have the opportunity to, there are times I get excited about that person, or imagine a romantic scenario. For some reason, a romantic moment with her cannot be imagined. A romantic rendezvous would almost seem like it would kill anything that was built for six years.
For now, I will chalk it up as crazy talk on both our parts. Perhaps sharing what our ideal lives would be like - in bliss - was meant to be shared, thought about and smiled at. But no further. Both of us are not the easiest people in the world to get along with. Why move, only to find things that turn us off, and realize that hey, we're stuck? Would that improve a friendship & working relationship? Not at all.
For some reason, it's just hard to communicate that verbally. I hope any hurt is at a minimum. Thank goodness most of it is likely averted because we didn't actually set the ball rolling on any move.
Which doesn't necessarily mean any type of move is out of the question. Sometimes, I wonder about motel life. Higher rent, but no utilities. And much less area to be responsible for. I don't even bother with the yardwork now; neighbor Lisa takes care of that. It's hell pushing a lawn mower, especially one that works. And I've already broken my lawn care appliance for the year (the leaf chopper)!
* Steve's wife, Eden, is now with us at last... four long years of waiting on Steve's part is finally over. She seems pretty nice, and the housekeeping issue - long a source of frustration for me - has been taken care of. She is the neat-nik I advertised in this space two years ago.
Now we're in the midst of a huge energy conservation program at the house, which I think borders on the ridiculous. Eliminating the dishwasher was okay, but throwing out the microwave? Unplugging the fridge at night? Having taken the time to measure jumps in the electric meter when one turns appliances on and off? Let's bring out the candles! It's way to the other extreme here, and compromise must take place. I can cut down on some uses, but eliminating them altogether is mind-boggling.
* New car in the fold again - a 1999 Ford Taurus. Other than a slight rod knock and a bad wiper arm, it runs great, the best since the white Sable of 2002-04. I got hosed one final time when unloading the damn Contour, a salvage company advertised guaranteed $150 payout for any car, running or not. What did I get? $75, that's all. The tower noted the busted headlamp lens, the gash on the rear bumper... thank goodness they didn't inspect the inside, or I'd been out the money. Do they expect perfection? I mean, the thing DID run. Just not too well.
* Irene passed away just after New Year's, and in March, relative Gary reared his ugly head and basically dispossessed Diane, Dawn & Dylan from staying there. I spent my birthday helping them move stuff from house to house... this being the day I also got the Taurus. I paid them a visit at the other house Friday, and Dawn got approved for a real fix-me-upper further south, but only about a mile from us. Hope she throws a nice housewarming party. It's weird, though, knowing we don't have to keep an eye on that house anymore. I have no compassion for that family after what they did. The memories are haunting in that house, and probably always will be, especially since it's only known Irene as its owner.
* Physically, I am decent, though I've continued to put on weight, and I found that 2 1/2 games of bowling are about my limit now. Not due to my back, but due to age. My dad was about my age when he realized he couldn't hack it for too much longer.
* And dad's doing well, but it's a little painful to realize he's now 64, not the big hulking guy I knew in my youth, or the guy who broke swim records at his middle school. I guess I'm getting to the point where I realize, more & more, what age can do to a person... age as well as distance, and the infrequency of seeing that person.
And I wrote all this without a phone call coming to the office! Good thing I'm paid for inactivity, but I feel for these drivers who think I've forgotten about them; I used to be one of them.
Will I continue to update regularly on this blog? Depends on the economy... :)
January 1, 2009
There from the beginning...
Greetings for the New Year, everyone.
And for once, perhaps the systematic pieces are finally being put together as we dawn in a new year. It appears nothing has happened in my life since about February 20th. However, that's only because I dropped this blog like a bad habit for almost eleven months. While I do not promise that updates will be regular, I can promise at least a bit more effort.
With that, here's a rundown on 2008:
* The year began with a second hospital trip on January 7. Remember I had been in for a partially collapsed lung Christmas Day. Now I somehow had a recurrence, but was fortunately out of the ER after about seven hours.
* The George situation went downhill FAST toward the beginning of February. Apparently he spent too much company money buying parts, and the owner didn't like it. Neither did his previous boss at his previous location, and on down the line. He finally moved out in March, so it became me and Steve again, where it remains to now.
* February came and went without the promise of Mike getting married. For years now, he's been hounding Steve for $150. "It will help with the wedding," he'd say. But that's all he'd say... not "how are ya", or anything.
* I made the prediction the Tigers would finish in last place. Bingo.
* I became more active on YouTube posting videos, including a one-minute series of topical videos.
* I made the resolution, once again, to finish the garden project. And this time I did it! It ended up looking great, although not like I originally wanted it to.
* Our phone number changed three times this year.
* In the span of two hours in July, I went from driving cab #23, to having it demolished, to becoming a dispatcher the next night, to not being a dispatcher the next night, to being shifted to cab #21, which was a firetrap in its own right.
* The house became "adopt a cat" over the summer months.
* I finally replaced my 11-year old computer with a more modern one (actually, Steve gave me his.)
* My green thumb burned - in the span of a week, the lawn mower blew up, and the weed whacker burst into flames with me holding it like a torch. Then, someone pilfered my trimmers a week later. I had to have the neighbor do the yard the rest of the year.
* We finally had the carpeting replaced in September - hello neutral colors!
* Two houses foreclosed on my block - sign of the times.
* I finally became a dispatcher in November, as they wanted to take a new direction. It's been a challenge, but only in dealing with driver egos, not business increases. Business is not increasing.
* The car made it through the year, but I ended up compiling a list of seventeen different things wrong with it. Why I am keeping it is up for question.
* I made a serious resolve to resume drawing my comic strip after an absence of four years. Results pending.
* And, on December 26th, I became involved in another relationship. This one, with Laura! I'd secretly been hoping to ask her out for six years. I didn't, so she did! Bar NONE, this is who I should have been with for that length of time. We've been there for each other for so long and through so much, it's only natural for the selection to happen. And like I always say, it happened when least expected.
So there's more of a smile on my face.
And as always, I resolve for this year to go a bit more smoothly than last year. All I can say is: Enjoy the ride, however bumpy it may be.
And for once, perhaps the systematic pieces are finally being put together as we dawn in a new year. It appears nothing has happened in my life since about February 20th. However, that's only because I dropped this blog like a bad habit for almost eleven months. While I do not promise that updates will be regular, I can promise at least a bit more effort.
With that, here's a rundown on 2008:
* The year began with a second hospital trip on January 7. Remember I had been in for a partially collapsed lung Christmas Day. Now I somehow had a recurrence, but was fortunately out of the ER after about seven hours.
* The George situation went downhill FAST toward the beginning of February. Apparently he spent too much company money buying parts, and the owner didn't like it. Neither did his previous boss at his previous location, and on down the line. He finally moved out in March, so it became me and Steve again, where it remains to now.
* February came and went without the promise of Mike getting married. For years now, he's been hounding Steve for $150. "It will help with the wedding," he'd say. But that's all he'd say... not "how are ya", or anything.
* I made the prediction the Tigers would finish in last place. Bingo.
* I became more active on YouTube posting videos, including a one-minute series of topical videos.
* I made the resolution, once again, to finish the garden project. And this time I did it! It ended up looking great, although not like I originally wanted it to.
* Our phone number changed three times this year.
* In the span of two hours in July, I went from driving cab #23, to having it demolished, to becoming a dispatcher the next night, to not being a dispatcher the next night, to being shifted to cab #21, which was a firetrap in its own right.
* The house became "adopt a cat" over the summer months.
* I finally replaced my 11-year old computer with a more modern one (actually, Steve gave me his.)
* My green thumb burned - in the span of a week, the lawn mower blew up, and the weed whacker burst into flames with me holding it like a torch. Then, someone pilfered my trimmers a week later. I had to have the neighbor do the yard the rest of the year.
* We finally had the carpeting replaced in September - hello neutral colors!
* Two houses foreclosed on my block - sign of the times.
* I finally became a dispatcher in November, as they wanted to take a new direction. It's been a challenge, but only in dealing with driver egos, not business increases. Business is not increasing.
* The car made it through the year, but I ended up compiling a list of seventeen different things wrong with it. Why I am keeping it is up for question.
* I made a serious resolve to resume drawing my comic strip after an absence of four years. Results pending.
* And, on December 26th, I became involved in another relationship. This one, with Laura! I'd secretly been hoping to ask her out for six years. I didn't, so she did! Bar NONE, this is who I should have been with for that length of time. We've been there for each other for so long and through so much, it's only natural for the selection to happen. And like I always say, it happened when least expected.
So there's more of a smile on my face.
And as always, I resolve for this year to go a bit more smoothly than last year. All I can say is: Enjoy the ride, however bumpy it may be.
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