Interesting.
"Only YOU can set you free!"
03 November 2008
02 November 2008
31 October 2008
The Halloween Deputy
Late Halloween night.
He collided with a train.
Trains win EVERY SINGLE TIME.
He wore a Deputy Sheriff's uniform, complete with (real) badge.
Returning from a party, he had a load of ethyl alcohol on board.
He was in trouble. If he truly was a Deputy, he was in a HEAP of trouble.
The ER had called the Sheriff's department for information. All they could do was affirm an officer by that name worked for them.
Both his femurs were broken. I've written before about the force required to do that...
Force so powerful it can burst or dislodge organs from their attachment points.
He definitely needed the helicopter.
Whether or not he was a Deputy had no effect on his medical care.
But somehow it did affect the stress level of all providing the care...
Were we dealing with someone who, like a soldier, regularly put his life on the line for others?
If so, what would cause him to be so intoxicated, even on a Halloween night?
This accident would be a life altering event, no matter what.
Would his job also be in jeopardy?
We loaded and transported him to the trauma center, still not knowing his official status.
Only later did we hear our patient's brother had loaned him his uniform for a family Halloween party.
And he survived.
He collided with a train.
Trains win EVERY SINGLE TIME.
He wore a Deputy Sheriff's uniform, complete with (real) badge.
Returning from a party, he had a load of ethyl alcohol on board.
He was in trouble. If he truly was a Deputy, he was in a HEAP of trouble.
The ER had called the Sheriff's department for information. All they could do was affirm an officer by that name worked for them.
Both his femurs were broken. I've written before about the force required to do that...
Force so powerful it can burst or dislodge organs from their attachment points.
He definitely needed the helicopter.
Whether or not he was a Deputy had no effect on his medical care.
But somehow it did affect the stress level of all providing the care...
Were we dealing with someone who, like a soldier, regularly put his life on the line for others?
If so, what would cause him to be so intoxicated, even on a Halloween night?
This accident would be a life altering event, no matter what.
Would his job also be in jeopardy?
We loaded and transported him to the trauma center, still not knowing his official status.
Only later did we hear our patient's brother had loaned him his uniform for a family Halloween party.
And he survived.
Compare and Contrast
Common sense isn't common.
This guy was brilliant.
Compare this video to the "no worry about my gas tank, no worry about my mortgage" video below.
Vote. Use your "un"common sense.
(Stolen at Fatale Abstraction.)
This Election's BIG Loser
The media.
And as a result, the news consuming public.
No matter the outcome, the winner of this election will be considered illegitimate, because our news organizations have failed us.
I don't think we yet realize how big a deal that is.
And as a result, the news consuming public.
No matter the outcome, the winner of this election will be considered illegitimate, because our news organizations have failed us.
I don't think we yet realize how big a deal that is.
Via Email From a Friend-
Dear Fellow Business Owner
As a Business owner who employs 30 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next President, and that my Taxes and Fees will go up in a BIG way.
To compensate for these increases, I figure that our customers will have to see an increase in my fees of about 8%. I will also have to lay off six of my employees. This really bothered me as I believe we are family here and didn't know how to choose who will have to go. So, this is what I did.
I strolled thru the parking lot and found eight Obama bumper stickers on my employees cars. I have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off.
I can't think of more fair way to approach this problem. If you have a better idea, let me know.
I am sending this letter to all business owners that I know.
Sincerely
Ward
Utopia Is Coming. Don't Worry, Be Happy!
Life is just gonna be swell:
Barry will bring us heaven, right here on earth!
Thanks again Instapundit
Barry will bring us heaven, right here on earth!
Thanks again Instapundit
30 October 2008
But Wait, There's More!
Did you watch Barry's infomercial?
Wouldn't it have been nice if he had held a 30 minute news conference instead?
Maybe then we'd know what we need to know about the man.
Wouldn't it have been nice if he had held a 30 minute news conference instead?
Maybe then we'd know what we need to know about the man.
Burning Questions-
We just returned from another enjoyable weekend spent with old H.S. classmates.
Saturday night, clear and chilly, was comfortably spent around a wonderful bonfire.
I made a comment that was as much a question as statement of fact, then promised myself I'd find the answer:
Wood doesn't burn.
Agree or disagree?
Look it up.
And another burning question-
I spend a great deal of time with Mr. Lycoming's product purring along behind me.
That purring is the result of some pretty violent stuff going on in that reciprocal, internal combustion engine.
Most of us have at least an idea of how that engine works, but...
When the spark plugs spark and ignite the fuel/air mixture, is that an explosion?
That fire obviously has to progress mighty quickly.
Your answer?
Saturday night, clear and chilly, was comfortably spent around a wonderful bonfire.
I made a comment that was as much a question as statement of fact, then promised myself I'd find the answer:
Wood doesn't burn.
Agree or disagree?
Look it up.
And another burning question-
I spend a great deal of time with Mr. Lycoming's product purring along behind me.
That purring is the result of some pretty violent stuff going on in that reciprocal, internal combustion engine.
Most of us have at least an idea of how that engine works, but...
When the spark plugs spark and ignite the fuel/air mixture, is that an explosion?
That fire obviously has to progress mighty quickly.
Your answer?
29 October 2008
Half And Half
Ha.
From a comment to a post at Epi's blog-
Him: "You know, he's half black and half white. Is it the black part you don't like or the white part?"
Me: "It's not the black or the white, it's the red."
My feelings exactly.
From a comment to a post at Epi's blog-
Him: "You know, he's half black and half white. Is it the black part you don't like or the white part?"
Me: "It's not the black or the white, it's the red."
My feelings exactly.
The "Talented Tenth"
...Been a while since I checked on Rattler Gator.
That's a mistake.
He always gives me hope for change.
That's a mistake.
He always gives me hope for change.
Pravda, Izvestia, et al...
If you are not afraid of this election, you must be clueless:
Read John's post,
Then read this satire(?)
My comment at John's blog:
"The only difference between us and the old Soviet Union now is that the government is not controlling the release of information...
liberal media outlets are.
Government control of information will start 4 November."
I asked before and I'll ask again-
Why would any Jew vote for this guy?
Now add to that-
Why would anyone?
Read John's post,
Then read this satire(?)
My comment at John's blog:
"The only difference between us and the old Soviet Union now is that the government is not controlling the release of information...
liberal media outlets are.
Government control of information will start 4 November."
I asked before and I'll ask again-
Why would any Jew vote for this guy?
Now add to that-
Why would anyone?
28 October 2008
Three Generations, From "Greatest" To "Gimme".
My Dad was a World War Two Veteran.
Awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, at our dinner table he was a living history lesson.
Looking around at my contemporaries I find most of them also had live, talking examples of what it takes to preserve the freedoms granted to us in the Constitution sharing their homes.
Everyone calls them "The Greatest Generation".
Why?
When needed, they didn't shirk...
They answered the call.
The next generation, my generation, was different.
Many were like me...
Raised by a brave, unselfish man, there was no question what I had to do when I was called.
Running to Canada was out of the question.
Getting married to avoid duty was out of the question.
I served.
But many, for whatever reason, did not. I've heard all the explanations...
"Illegal", "Immoral", "Unnecessary".
If you agree with that line of thought, come talk to some of my Vietnamese friends.
Prepare to be embarrassed, or worse.
Now comes the "Gimme" generation.
Some of them come here and comment.
Intelligent and quite able to speak their minds, they have all the answers to life's problems because they were raised in an environment where self-esteem was all-important.
Many have never felt the sting of switch or belt against their buttocks as children...
That would hurt their egos. That would embarrass them.
Better to use logic with them, right?
Rationalize with a precocious 7 year old.
But what has that attitude gotten us?
Selfish, self-centered kids, raised in a poor teaching environment, they have almost no ability to discern what is best in the long-term for themselves, for their children.
They are young enough to have never seen the abject failure that Socialism has brought in EVERY country that has tried it.
(One misguided soul responded that Socialism was successful in Sweden.
She had no idea of the social unrest there, and also didn't know Sweden is slowly moving towards Capitalism to resolve problems. They're also considering joining NATO because they cannot afford to defend themselves against aggressors.)
So here we are, facing an important election with large numbers of these "me!" generation kids fainting to the sounds of the most unqualified, misguided man to ever run for the office of President of the United States.
No amount of logic seems to make a dent...
"Don't confuse me, I already have my mind made up."
In spite of millions and millions being spent... lots of talk with nothing being said... our only hope is that many of these kids have actually turned out pretty well... (take a look at our all-volunteer military.)
The poll numbers ARE tightening.
Is the "in the tank" big media in for a huge surprise?
Won't surprise me.
Awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, at our dinner table he was a living history lesson.
Looking around at my contemporaries I find most of them also had live, talking examples of what it takes to preserve the freedoms granted to us in the Constitution sharing their homes.
Everyone calls them "The Greatest Generation".
Why?
When needed, they didn't shirk...
They answered the call.
The next generation, my generation, was different.
Many were like me...
Raised by a brave, unselfish man, there was no question what I had to do when I was called.
Running to Canada was out of the question.
Getting married to avoid duty was out of the question.
I served.
But many, for whatever reason, did not. I've heard all the explanations...
"Illegal", "Immoral", "Unnecessary".
If you agree with that line of thought, come talk to some of my Vietnamese friends.
Prepare to be embarrassed, or worse.
Now comes the "Gimme" generation.
Some of them come here and comment.
Intelligent and quite able to speak their minds, they have all the answers to life's problems because they were raised in an environment where self-esteem was all-important.
Many have never felt the sting of switch or belt against their buttocks as children...
That would hurt their egos. That would embarrass them.
Better to use logic with them, right?
Rationalize with a precocious 7 year old.
But what has that attitude gotten us?
Selfish, self-centered kids, raised in a poor teaching environment, they have almost no ability to discern what is best in the long-term for themselves, for their children.
They are young enough to have never seen the abject failure that Socialism has brought in EVERY country that has tried it.
(One misguided soul responded that Socialism was successful in Sweden.
She had no idea of the social unrest there, and also didn't know Sweden is slowly moving towards Capitalism to resolve problems. They're also considering joining NATO because they cannot afford to defend themselves against aggressors.)
So here we are, facing an important election with large numbers of these "me!" generation kids fainting to the sounds of the most unqualified, misguided man to ever run for the office of President of the United States.
No amount of logic seems to make a dent...
"Don't confuse me, I already have my mind made up."
In spite of millions and millions being spent... lots of talk with nothing being said... our only hope is that many of these kids have actually turned out pretty well... (take a look at our all-volunteer military.)
The poll numbers ARE tightening.
Is the "in the tank" big media in for a huge surprise?
Won't surprise me.
27 October 2008
Honoring Our Heroes-
Vote as they will vote.
(The comments are interesting.)
UPDATE:
Read this, and then the comments to the article.
(And my sense is that this is EXACTLY how the election will play out!
(The comments are interesting.)
UPDATE:
Read this, and then the comments to the article.
(And my sense is that this is EXACTLY how the election will play out!
26 October 2008
25 October 2008
Juno
I just finished watching Juno.
What a pleasant surprise.
Laughed.
Cried.
There are certain moments in movies when an actor can knock me out...
No lines to speak, the acting is all done with facial expression and body language.
In "Tootsie" Charles Durning amazed me with his expression in the bar scene when he comes to the realization that Tootsie is a man.
Ellen Page has a solo scene with no lines where you know she has made an important decision, and the young actress pulls it off.
Bravo Ellen!
Casting is great. Everyone is believable. I liked Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner was excellent. Michael Cera, an actor I had never seen before, does a wonderful, understated job as Juno's best friend/paramour.
J.K. Simmons, playing Juno's Dad, steals every scene he's in.
Rent it.
I liked it enough that I will again, later.
What a pleasant surprise.
Laughed.
Cried.
There are certain moments in movies when an actor can knock me out...
No lines to speak, the acting is all done with facial expression and body language.
In "Tootsie" Charles Durning amazed me with his expression in the bar scene when he comes to the realization that Tootsie is a man.
Ellen Page has a solo scene with no lines where you know she has made an important decision, and the young actress pulls it off.
Bravo Ellen!
Casting is great. Everyone is believable. I liked Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner was excellent. Michael Cera, an actor I had never seen before, does a wonderful, understated job as Juno's best friend/paramour.
J.K. Simmons, playing Juno's Dad, steals every scene he's in.
Rent it.
I liked it enough that I will again, later.
24 October 2008
VooDoo Economics
Lots of folks spouting Comrade Obama's line...
"Tax the rich. Spread that income around."
And you know what, on the surface that doesn't sound so bad...
Until you start using your brain a little.
I've blogged before about basic Sociology and Psychology.
No one refuted my comments then, they just ignored them and repeated the Socialist Party line...
"Stick it to the rich guy. He got that money through greed anyway."
As I see it, there are three problems with that thinking:
1. You are still rewarding poor behavior, and therefore will get more of it.
2. Obama's plan to soak the rich by increasing Capital Gains taxes, while eliciting a "go get those fat cats, Tiger", from the low-IQ crowd, will work negatively in another arena he hopes to improve- Job creation.
If I'm a "fat cat" and you increase my cost of doing business, I'm either gonna slash my costs, maybe by laying off employees, or pass those costs off to taxpayers and consumers as an expense-
the cost of doing business. Or alternatively I'll move my production facility offshore to avoid those costs altogether. Fat Cat won't pay them at all...
The consumer, and frequently the POOR consumer, will suffer most.
3. And back to Capital Gains tax increases-
Think this will only hurt the upper 5%?
Think because you aren't as rich as "Joe the Plumber" you don't pay Captital Gains taxes?
WRONG AGAIN BUNKY!
You own stocks, right?
Like me, you have stock in BIG OL' TERRIBLE OIL, right?
No?
Are you sure?
Got an IRA?
Got a 401k or 403b or any other retirement plan?
Own a mutual fund?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you probably own oil stocks.
You also pay Capital Gains taxes, either personally or as an expense of the plan.
Barack Obama wants to give you a tax increase.
Where's he coming up with this "95% won't pay more in taxes" lie?
Why aren't the masses catching on to the impossibility of what he's promising?
"Tax the rich. Spread that income around."
And you know what, on the surface that doesn't sound so bad...
Until you start using your brain a little.
I've blogged before about basic Sociology and Psychology.
No one refuted my comments then, they just ignored them and repeated the Socialist Party line...
"Stick it to the rich guy. He got that money through greed anyway."
As I see it, there are three problems with that thinking:
1. You are still rewarding poor behavior, and therefore will get more of it.
2. Obama's plan to soak the rich by increasing Capital Gains taxes, while eliciting a "go get those fat cats, Tiger", from the low-IQ crowd, will work negatively in another arena he hopes to improve- Job creation.
If I'm a "fat cat" and you increase my cost of doing business, I'm either gonna slash my costs, maybe by laying off employees, or pass those costs off to taxpayers and consumers as an expense-
the cost of doing business. Or alternatively I'll move my production facility offshore to avoid those costs altogether. Fat Cat won't pay them at all...
The consumer, and frequently the POOR consumer, will suffer most.
3. And back to Capital Gains tax increases-
Think this will only hurt the upper 5%?
Think because you aren't as rich as "Joe the Plumber" you don't pay Captital Gains taxes?
WRONG AGAIN BUNKY!
You own stocks, right?
Like me, you have stock in BIG OL' TERRIBLE OIL, right?
No?
Are you sure?
Got an IRA?
Got a 401k or 403b or any other retirement plan?
Own a mutual fund?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you probably own oil stocks.
You also pay Capital Gains taxes, either personally or as an expense of the plan.
Barack Obama wants to give you a tax increase.
Where's he coming up with this "95% won't pay more in taxes" lie?
Why aren't the masses catching on to the impossibility of what he's promising?
How's Your 401K/IRA Doin'?
"Blue Canoes" and Their Progeny
When I started flying for the ARMY we were forced to endure an hours' simulator time a week.
It was a mostly a waste of time.
We called them "Blue Canoes".
Modified WWII "Link" trainers, they were single pilot, the exterior painted royal blue, an almost coffin shaped box. I suppose to make us feel less ridiculous being encased in the thing, they had actually attached a set of stubby yellow wings to the "fuselage".
They started life as fixed wind simulators and had been modified with a collective on the left of the seat for power control, rather than a panel-mounted throttle. They could rotate freely around their yaw axis... their only (terrible) attempt at "motion freedom".
In their defense, they were a good IFR procedures trainer. But putting aviators in a cardboard box and having them respond with the proper language to radio calls over a headset would have been nearly as effective and a whole lot cheaper than the blue canoes.
Shortly after I got home from Viet Nam the ARMY bought and started training in full-motion simulators. What a change! The "box" you climbed into was the size of a small van.
Pilot AND Copilot... the view surrounding you was EXACTLY that of being in a Huey cockpit. The windshield was opaque, simulating actual IFR conditions. When flight simulation started, the box was lifted into the air via a 3-axis hydraulic system. Moving the controls resulted in VERY realistic movement of the hydraulics...
(Once, given a complete loss of tail rotor and gearbox on short final by the operator as a joke, I crashed hard enough to pop both doors of the simulator open!)
These simulators were expensive. As I recall, an operator actually rode herd on a pod of four of them at a time, so operating them also included her/his paycheck.
Still, they were less expensive than actually going out and lighting the fire in a Huey, and a pilot could be given a complete loss of tail rotor and gearbox on short final without fear of loss of aircraft and two pilots. They were worth the cost.
I have NO experience with simulators today, but like you, I've seen videos of them.
Full motion, complete with video surrounding your field of view... they are a quantum leap improvement over the full-motion simulator that was such an improvement over the "blue canoe".
Wonderful.
I think I have heard our military aviators now spend almost half their time in these simulators.
I'm sure aviators don't hate them the way we hated the canoe. It's time well spent, and cost effective too.
Darren or anyone else familiar with the new flight simulators...
Educate us please.
23 October 2008
For FlightFire-
In comments to a post below, FlightFire stated that voter registration shenanigans weren't a problem so long as the citizen only voted in one location.
This article should be a "gentle education".
No charge, FF.
You're welcome.
UPDATE:
More.
Think "Voter Fraud" WILL NOT be an issue on 5 November?
This article should be a "gentle education".
No charge, FF.
You're welcome.
UPDATE:
More.
Think "Voter Fraud" WILL NOT be an issue on 5 November?
The Coming Ice Age
"...a funny thing is happening to global temperatures -- they're going down, not up."
When it is painfully obvious they're wrong, will the "Global Warming" fanatics have the stones to admit it?
UPDATE:
I know, I know, it's a local situation, not global.
But if reading the first sentence of this article doesn't crack you up, you have no sense of humor!
When it is painfully obvious they're wrong, will the "Global Warming" fanatics have the stones to admit it?
UPDATE:
I know, I know, it's a local situation, not global.
But if reading the first sentence of this article doesn't crack you up, you have no sense of humor!
22 October 2008
21 October 2008
Three Cups... "C Cup" To "B Cup"?
I LOVE Boobs!
Size, shape, color... immaterial.
Boobs are wonderful... the initial nurturers.
But they can be such a health concern for women.
Like the title of my post, you may have been titillated to read because of boob size.
But I also found this Coffee/Cancer study interesting.
UPDATE:
Do you like BIG BOOBS?
Size, shape, color... immaterial.
Boobs are wonderful... the initial nurturers.
But they can be such a health concern for women.
Like the title of my post, you may have been titillated to read because of boob size.
But I also found this Coffee/Cancer study interesting.
UPDATE:
Do you like BIG BOOBS?
20 October 2008
Chief Executive Obama!
Yeah, Obama has Executive experience.
And how'd he do at it?
He was a total failure!
Hey Gang!
Let's make this guy the most important leader in the world!
And how'd he do at it?
He was a total failure!
Hey Gang!
Let's make this guy the most important leader in the world!
4 Dead In Illinois
2008 has been a terrible year for Helicopter Ambulances. I think I read there have been 9 fatal accidents involving EMS helicopters this year. There have also been several serious accidents that have not resulted in fatalities.
The latest happened in Aurora, Illinois.
It was a Bell 222, an aircraft I consider to be the most beautiful rotorcraft flying. Some of you may recognize the "triple deuce" as the aircraft used in the TV series "Airwolf".
We still don't know the "whys".
What we do know is that it was nighttime, the aircraft was on its way to Children's Hospital of Chicago with Pilot, Nurse, Paramedic, and the patient, a 13 month old little girl on board. Over Aurora they ran into the support cable for a tall antenna and crashed, killing all aboard.
News reports and comments from EMS bloggers bring many questions to mind:
1. Why did this pilot not see this obstruction? There are unconfirmed reports the tower did not have the required lighting.
2. This tower was 700+ feet tall. Why was he cruising at an altitude low enough to strike this tower, even if it was unlit?
3. (At my age I hate to approach this question.) This pilot was 69 years of age. Was his physical condition a factor in this accident?
4. This baby was a seizure patient. Was it medically necessary to fly her?
A radar track for the aircraft shows no anomalies, so there are no indications of mechanical failure. More questions will no doubt be asked as the investigation of this accident unfolds. But as an industry insider I am sure of one thing...
We fly far too many patients that could, and should be transported by ground.
I sincerely hope this accident is the impetus for discussion as to how we can safely and more efficiently use EMS helicopters.
More details than you could ever want to know on the subject here.
The latest happened in Aurora, Illinois.
It was a Bell 222, an aircraft I consider to be the most beautiful rotorcraft flying. Some of you may recognize the "triple deuce" as the aircraft used in the TV series "Airwolf".
We still don't know the "whys".
What we do know is that it was nighttime, the aircraft was on its way to Children's Hospital of Chicago with Pilot, Nurse, Paramedic, and the patient, a 13 month old little girl on board. Over Aurora they ran into the support cable for a tall antenna and crashed, killing all aboard.
News reports and comments from EMS bloggers bring many questions to mind:
1. Why did this pilot not see this obstruction? There are unconfirmed reports the tower did not have the required lighting.
2. This tower was 700+ feet tall. Why was he cruising at an altitude low enough to strike this tower, even if it was unlit?
3. (At my age I hate to approach this question.) This pilot was 69 years of age. Was his physical condition a factor in this accident?
4. This baby was a seizure patient. Was it medically necessary to fly her?
A radar track for the aircraft shows no anomalies, so there are no indications of mechanical failure. More questions will no doubt be asked as the investigation of this accident unfolds. But as an industry insider I am sure of one thing...
We fly far too many patients that could, and should be transported by ground.
I sincerely hope this accident is the impetus for discussion as to how we can safely and more efficiently use EMS helicopters.
More details than you could ever want to know on the subject here.
19 October 2008
Nurse William's Excellent Adventure
Road trip in a fast car, through the eyes of an experienced Trauma Nurse.
Short, interesting installments.
Like the sound of it?
If you have a little time, I think it's worth your while:
Read first.
Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Leave him a note to let him know what ya think, and tell him Greybeard sent ya.
Short, interesting installments.
Like the sound of it?
If you have a little time, I think it's worth your while:
Read first.
Part One.
Part Two.
Part Three.
Part Four.
Leave him a note to let him know what ya think, and tell him Greybeard sent ya.
17 October 2008
Kill The American Dream?
I have a full-time job.
At that job I work 42 hours per week.
I own a personal business.
It's hard to put a finger on how many hours I devote there.
Some weeks it's a lot. Some weeks, depending on weather and other factors, I do almost nothing. Over a year I probably average 20 hours a week trying to keep this business in the black.
I work part-time as a flight instructor.
Again, this work is spotty, but looking back over the last year I estimate I average another 20 hours per week in flight and ground instructing.
I own a rental property...
There's another few hours per week devoted to keeping the bills paid and organizing the inevitable required tax information.
On top of all this, until recently I've found time to be on a couple Boards-of-Directors... presiding over one of them for a year.
Weekends?
Holidays?
You're kidding, right?!!
Don't get me wrong... I'm working over 80 hours per week not because I'm forced to, but because I want to. I enjoy the work.
I enjoy the people I associate with. I like the things I can afford because of the income my work brings me. It gives me pleasure to know that several others make a little extra cash because of my efforts.
I think I'm exactly like "Joe the Plumber"...
The guy Obama wants to tax so that he can "spread the wealth around" to others that aren't willing to work 80+ hours per week.
Want to "change" the world?
Do like the Soviet Union and so many other Socialist governments from the past have done...
Make it unpalatable for me and others like me to pursue this American Dream.
HOPE will go out the window, but you'll certainly see CHANGE.
Be very careful what you wish for.
At that job I work 42 hours per week.
I own a personal business.
It's hard to put a finger on how many hours I devote there.
Some weeks it's a lot. Some weeks, depending on weather and other factors, I do almost nothing. Over a year I probably average 20 hours a week trying to keep this business in the black.
I work part-time as a flight instructor.
Again, this work is spotty, but looking back over the last year I estimate I average another 20 hours per week in flight and ground instructing.
I own a rental property...
There's another few hours per week devoted to keeping the bills paid and organizing the inevitable required tax information.
On top of all this, until recently I've found time to be on a couple Boards-of-Directors... presiding over one of them for a year.
Weekends?
Holidays?
You're kidding, right?!!
Don't get me wrong... I'm working over 80 hours per week not because I'm forced to, but because I want to. I enjoy the work.
I enjoy the people I associate with. I like the things I can afford because of the income my work brings me. It gives me pleasure to know that several others make a little extra cash because of my efforts.
I think I'm exactly like "Joe the Plumber"...
The guy Obama wants to tax so that he can "spread the wealth around" to others that aren't willing to work 80+ hours per week.
Want to "change" the world?
Do like the Soviet Union and so many other Socialist governments from the past have done...
Make it unpalatable for me and others like me to pursue this American Dream.
HOPE will go out the window, but you'll certainly see CHANGE.
Be very careful what you wish for.
15 October 2008
Want Hope?
... Then DON'T listen to this audio:
Hat tip Fausta's Blog
UPDATE-
Upon hearing the audio my paramedic asks, "How many times have these folks registered to vote?"
Hat tip Fausta's Blog
UPDATE-
Upon hearing the audio my paramedic asks, "How many times have these folks registered to vote?"
Change We Need?
"The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where 'decades of putting Israel's interests first' would end."
Jesse (Hymietown) Jackson on the Obama Presidency.
Please...
Preferably in short sentences with small words, explain why any Jew would vote for this man.
Jesse (Hymietown) Jackson on the Obama Presidency.
Please...
Preferably in short sentences with small words, explain why any Jew would vote for this man.
Conscription
One of the things in the news today is Obama's statement that if we return to the draft to fill our military ranks, we should also conscript females.
McCain disagrees.
I agree with Obama... sorta.
I have always felt we should adopt a system similar to the Israelis'...
Everyone serves.
Now I'll admit I'm no expert on the Israeli system, other than the fact that men and women serve. I believe they still exclude women from certain combat positions. But by going through basic training, women are trained in infantry tactics, and are trained for and would be expected to jump into a foxhole with a rifle next to a man should their position be overrun.
For me, "equal rights" has always been the crux of the matter. When I was in Viet Nam, one of the first female helicopter pilots in the U.S. ARMY came to our battalion. She wore the same rank on her collar as me. Her paycheck had the same figure behind the dollar sign as mine. But she COULD NOT perform my job...
Restricted by regulation, she couldn't be exposed to combat.
Equal pay for equal work/responsibility? Hardly. So it was hard to swallow...
But it wasn't her fault.
Discussion about women filling combat positions goes 'way above my pay grade. But I have always wondered...
Why not draft EVERYONE?
Upon completion of High School or College, why not require two years military service from all citizens... men, women, homosexuals, able-bodied and wheelchair-bound.
Two years of service to the country would emphasize and illustrate many things. Two that quickly come to mind are:
It would instill the idea that there are more important things in life than "self".
Testing for aptitude, training someone for a job, then giving them nearly two years experience in that skill would give all conscripts a civilian-marketable job history. There are plenty of rear-area jobs that could be, (and in some cases are), filled by wheelchair-bound civilians already.
So to John McCain-
I would like for you to rethink your attitude toward this Obama idea and take it one step further.
So long as it is fair... so long as EVERYONE is expected to serve... a universal draft might not be such a bad idea.
Consider it.
McCain disagrees.
I agree with Obama... sorta.
I have always felt we should adopt a system similar to the Israelis'...
Everyone serves.
Now I'll admit I'm no expert on the Israeli system, other than the fact that men and women serve. I believe they still exclude women from certain combat positions. But by going through basic training, women are trained in infantry tactics, and are trained for and would be expected to jump into a foxhole with a rifle next to a man should their position be overrun.
For me, "equal rights" has always been the crux of the matter. When I was in Viet Nam, one of the first female helicopter pilots in the U.S. ARMY came to our battalion. She wore the same rank on her collar as me. Her paycheck had the same figure behind the dollar sign as mine. But she COULD NOT perform my job...
Restricted by regulation, she couldn't be exposed to combat.
Equal pay for equal work/responsibility? Hardly. So it was hard to swallow...
But it wasn't her fault.
Discussion about women filling combat positions goes 'way above my pay grade. But I have always wondered...
Why not draft EVERYONE?
Upon completion of High School or College, why not require two years military service from all citizens... men, women, homosexuals, able-bodied and wheelchair-bound.
Two years of service to the country would emphasize and illustrate many things. Two that quickly come to mind are:
It would instill the idea that there are more important things in life than "self".
Testing for aptitude, training someone for a job, then giving them nearly two years experience in that skill would give all conscripts a civilian-marketable job history. There are plenty of rear-area jobs that could be, (and in some cases are), filled by wheelchair-bound civilians already.
So to John McCain-
I would like for you to rethink your attitude toward this Obama idea and take it one step further.
So long as it is fair... so long as EVERYONE is expected to serve... a universal draft might not be such a bad idea.
Consider it.
14 October 2008
Personal Dynamics
We hear the car door slam.
Ten seconds... that's what it takes for her to gather up the things she'll use during her shift, walk to, then open the front door.
And the moment she crosses the threshold, we ALL know what sort of day we'll have.
We hope she's smiling. All too often she's not.
She has problems in her life. Her husband has health problems that required his early retirement from work. We hear her talking on the phone with her teenage daughter, and to say there is 'tension' in that relationship would be kind.
I don't know husband or daughter well, but I have worked with this woman a long, long time, and I know her moods.
I'm glad I only WORK with her.
She's a damned fine nurse.
If I regained consciousness in the rear of the helicopter looking squarely at her face, I'd know that I was getting first-class medical care.
But when I drive to work and see her car in the parking lot, I know my shift will be difficult.
Sure, all of us work with a few folks like this. But this job attracts people with big egos... it's almost a requirement to survive here. Add big egos to difficult personal relationships and you have a recipe for interesting times. Our company has sponsored several classes on making interpersonal relationships better... I think that's commendable, but I think it has little or no long-term effect on behavior. At your core, you're either a happy person or you're not.
In this gal's case, you can see it in her face when she steps through that door.
I feel bad for the rest of us.
I feel worse for her.
Ten seconds... that's what it takes for her to gather up the things she'll use during her shift, walk to, then open the front door.
And the moment she crosses the threshold, we ALL know what sort of day we'll have.
We hope she's smiling. All too often she's not.
She has problems in her life. Her husband has health problems that required his early retirement from work. We hear her talking on the phone with her teenage daughter, and to say there is 'tension' in that relationship would be kind.
I don't know husband or daughter well, but I have worked with this woman a long, long time, and I know her moods.
I'm glad I only WORK with her.
She's a damned fine nurse.
If I regained consciousness in the rear of the helicopter looking squarely at her face, I'd know that I was getting first-class medical care.
But when I drive to work and see her car in the parking lot, I know my shift will be difficult.
Sure, all of us work with a few folks like this. But this job attracts people with big egos... it's almost a requirement to survive here. Add big egos to difficult personal relationships and you have a recipe for interesting times. Our company has sponsored several classes on making interpersonal relationships better... I think that's commendable, but I think it has little or no long-term effect on behavior. At your core, you're either a happy person or you're not.
In this gal's case, you can see it in her face when she steps through that door.
I feel bad for the rest of us.
I feel worse for her.
11 October 2008
Silence
The most serious fuel crisis of my life...The annual inflation rate at nearly 20%...
Mortgage rates so high, no one could contemplate buying a home...
Hostages being held in Iran, and a failed military rescue attempt...
U.S. morale so low, the bottom looked like up!
You sir, are an idiot, and would do well to shut your pie hole.
10 October 2008
From The Ground Up!
Well, it's a mess.
We can all agree on that, certainly. What we'll argue about is how we got here...
And that will break on this John Edward's "Two Americas" class warfare argument.
Greedy fat cats caused the problem, right?
Yeah, I can see that Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank contributed greatly. As a matter of fact I think they both ought to be in jail. Problem is, these "fat cats" will possibly be part of the democrat majority in Congress starting next January.
Think this single-digit popularity Congress is horrible? Just wait until we have a democrat President in place to go along with their every whim. And an even worse nightmare? The next Senate may have enough democrats to be filibuster proof... republicans may be totally impotent!
On more than one occasion I've heard Obama proclaim he's gonna "grow the economy from the ground up!"
(The crowd goes wild with applause, cheering!)
Huh?
How's that work?
Humor me now, 'cause I'm gettin' old and my synapses don't work the way they use'ta:
You and me, we just started working at McDonald's because we just got out of High School or we lost our jobs as editors at the New York Times. While I flip burgers and you drop the fries in the trans-fat-free oil, we get to talking about Obama and his "ground up" theory.
You say, "I know! Let's make electric cars!"
What a great idea! With an energy efficient electric car we could save a ton of money driving to McDonald's to work! There have to be MILLIONS of others like us... all needing an energy efficient way to get to our minimum-wage jobs.
So we get together with our other McDonald's employees... to start this venture we'll certainly need a good business plan, right?
We're gonna help "The Big O." grow the economy from the ground up!
Help a soon-to-be senior citizen, Obama supporters...
Where's this scenario go from here?
We can all agree on that, certainly. What we'll argue about is how we got here...
And that will break on this John Edward's "Two Americas" class warfare argument.
Greedy fat cats caused the problem, right?
Yeah, I can see that Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank contributed greatly. As a matter of fact I think they both ought to be in jail. Problem is, these "fat cats" will possibly be part of the democrat majority in Congress starting next January.
Think this single-digit popularity Congress is horrible? Just wait until we have a democrat President in place to go along with their every whim. And an even worse nightmare? The next Senate may have enough democrats to be filibuster proof... republicans may be totally impotent!
On more than one occasion I've heard Obama proclaim he's gonna "grow the economy from the ground up!"
(The crowd goes wild with applause, cheering!)
Huh?
How's that work?
Humor me now, 'cause I'm gettin' old and my synapses don't work the way they use'ta:
You and me, we just started working at McDonald's because we just got out of High School or we lost our jobs as editors at the New York Times. While I flip burgers and you drop the fries in the trans-fat-free oil, we get to talking about Obama and his "ground up" theory.
You say, "I know! Let's make electric cars!"
What a great idea! With an energy efficient electric car we could save a ton of money driving to McDonald's to work! There have to be MILLIONS of others like us... all needing an energy efficient way to get to our minimum-wage jobs.
So we get together with our other McDonald's employees... to start this venture we'll certainly need a good business plan, right?
We're gonna help "The Big O." grow the economy from the ground up!
Help a soon-to-be senior citizen, Obama supporters...
Where's this scenario go from here?
09 October 2008
Stolen Elections
Think there'll be big trouble after this election?
Count on it!
(Once again suggested by Instapundit.)
Updated:
ACORN stands for Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now.
Community Organizers?
Let's see... where have I heard that term before?
Count on it!
(Once again suggested by Instapundit.)
Updated:
ACORN stands for Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now.
Community Organizers?
Let's see... where have I heard that term before?
08 October 2008
Do Something, Even If It's Wrong.
I came home from work and went right to the bathroom to get rid of what remained of the two cups of coffee I had earlier. She followed me. When I noticed the wallpaper had been changed she asked, "What d'ya think?"
I didn't like the change, and told her so.
Of course she was disappointed...
She had done a great job, and assumed I'd be pleased.
But we both liked the wallpaper she had covered. It had been on that bathroom wall since we moved into this house, and she grew tired of it. I still liked the old paper.
She did too. But it had been up there a while, so on a whim she decided to change it. We left the "changed" paper there, and I still don't like it as much as the previous wall covering.
You've gotta be careful of change.
It's not always a good thing.
I didn't like the change, and told her so.
Of course she was disappointed...
She had done a great job, and assumed I'd be pleased.
But we both liked the wallpaper she had covered. It had been on that bathroom wall since we moved into this house, and she grew tired of it. I still liked the old paper.
She did too. But it had been up there a while, so on a whim she decided to change it. We left the "changed" paper there, and I still don't like it as much as the previous wall covering.
You've gotta be careful of change.
It's not always a good thing.
07 October 2008
06 October 2008
Like An Old Pair of Slippers
Regular readers know it.
Newcomers need to know I probably spend more time behind a cyclic than behind a steering wheel.
Like you, I'm comfortable in a car. But I'm equally comfortable in the helicopter.
Taken for granted, when the unexpected happens, either can kill. When the red warning lights come on, it's scarier when you are 1,000 feet above the ground going 150 miles per hour. Resolving the problem will take more than just pulling over to the berm.
I've been in Destin for 9 days.
Actually, I was last in the helicopter more than two weeks ago.
That's a long time to be out of the cockpit of a complex aircraft.
Tonight, when I return to work, I'll have to get reacquainted with my flying machine.
I'll adjust my seat and anti-torque pedals, then I'll climb in and do a mental "spool-up"...
I'll simply soak it all in...
A twin-engined aircraft has lots of dials, switches, levers, instruments, and circuit breakers. When the fertilizer hits the fan, I need to be able to react with the same reflexes you'd have if you see a soccer ball bounce into the street while driving your car.
It's been two weeks.
Where is that switch to arm the fire suppression system?
It'll take a few minutes.
My life, my crew's life, and, if on board, the life of my patient depend on my instant reflexes.
It's worth a few minutes.
Newcomers need to know I probably spend more time behind a cyclic than behind a steering wheel.
Like you, I'm comfortable in a car. But I'm equally comfortable in the helicopter.
Taken for granted, when the unexpected happens, either can kill. When the red warning lights come on, it's scarier when you are 1,000 feet above the ground going 150 miles per hour. Resolving the problem will take more than just pulling over to the berm.
I've been in Destin for 9 days.
Actually, I was last in the helicopter more than two weeks ago.
That's a long time to be out of the cockpit of a complex aircraft.
Tonight, when I return to work, I'll have to get reacquainted with my flying machine.
I'll adjust my seat and anti-torque pedals, then I'll climb in and do a mental "spool-up"...
I'll simply soak it all in...
A twin-engined aircraft has lots of dials, switches, levers, instruments, and circuit breakers. When the fertilizer hits the fan, I need to be able to react with the same reflexes you'd have if you see a soccer ball bounce into the street while driving your car.
It's been two weeks.
Where is that switch to arm the fire suppression system?
It'll take a few minutes.
My life, my crew's life, and, if on board, the life of my patient depend on my instant reflexes.
It's worth a few minutes.
05 October 2008
OTD@Destin, October 2008
Out The Door.
We've been here 9 Days. As always, time passed too quickly.
We've gained a few pounds and a lotta memories.
Have you ever been here?
I recommend it.
We're looking forward to our next trip down already.
We've been here 9 Days. As always, time passed too quickly.
We've gained a few pounds and a lotta memories.
Have you ever been here?
I recommend it.
We're looking forward to our next trip down already.
03 October 2008
".... In My Adult Life...."
She said, "For the first time in my adult life...." and finished that sentence with words that shocked me. Later in the week she repeated the statement, and public reaction was such that the democrat party wisely took Michelle out of public view for a while to allow things to cool down.
Now let me share something with you:
I'll start my sentence the same way but finish it differently...
For the first time in my adult life I'm truly afraid of what will happen when the results of this election are tabulated. I fear it won't be pretty, no matter the outcome.
It may be disastrous.
Obama's friends from ACORN are working in Ohio to lock-in the vote for him there.
(If you don't know his history with this organization, you need to google it and him and educate yourself.)
Democrat operatives around the St. Louis area are denying constituents their right to freedom of speech in order to insure nothing bad is said about their candidate.
This whole thing stinks to high heaven.
So, why am I afraid?
In the face of all this vote corruption, does my vote mean anything?
How will I feel when all the votes are counted?
I'm fearful that I, and millions of others like me, will feel this election has been stolen by ACORN, democrat brown-shirts, and a national press that, like CBS in the previous election, has become nothing more than a mouthpiece for democrat party talking points. (You are no doubt aware that the moderator of tonight's "debate" has written a book praising the messiah, to be released inauguration day, right?)
Many have made the accusation (incorrectly) that the 2000 election was stolen.
The election of 2008 truly could be.
How will conservatives react if they feel their votes were nullified?
"Progressives", remember this:
We conservatives tend to cling to our Bibles and guns.
Most of us have several of both.
We already know we cannot trust our media. We're beginning to learn we can no longer trust our government.
How badly do you want to win? How far down this path do you truly want to go?
Bible and guns...
Conservatives have both and know how to use them. We'll rely on the Bible, no matter what. It's my fervent hope we won't feel compelled to use the guns.
Now let me share something with you:
I'll start my sentence the same way but finish it differently...
For the first time in my adult life I'm truly afraid of what will happen when the results of this election are tabulated. I fear it won't be pretty, no matter the outcome.
It may be disastrous.
Obama's friends from ACORN are working in Ohio to lock-in the vote for him there.
(If you don't know his history with this organization, you need to google it and him and educate yourself.)
Democrat operatives around the St. Louis area are denying constituents their right to freedom of speech in order to insure nothing bad is said about their candidate.
This whole thing stinks to high heaven.
So, why am I afraid?
In the face of all this vote corruption, does my vote mean anything?
How will I feel when all the votes are counted?
I'm fearful that I, and millions of others like me, will feel this election has been stolen by ACORN, democrat brown-shirts, and a national press that, like CBS in the previous election, has become nothing more than a mouthpiece for democrat party talking points. (You are no doubt aware that the moderator of tonight's "debate" has written a book praising the messiah, to be released inauguration day, right?)
Many have made the accusation (incorrectly) that the 2000 election was stolen.
The election of 2008 truly could be.
How will conservatives react if they feel their votes were nullified?
"Progressives", remember this:
We conservatives tend to cling to our Bibles and guns.
Most of us have several of both.
We already know we cannot trust our media. We're beginning to learn we can no longer trust our government.
How badly do you want to win? How far down this path do you truly want to go?
Bible and guns...
Conservatives have both and know how to use them. We'll rely on the Bible, no matter what. It's my fervent hope we won't feel compelled to use the guns.
02 October 2008
Lightning Strikes Twice
We're in Destin, remember, so things are a little discomboobulated.
She came up the stairs behind me and stood at the landing, adjacent to my recliner, quietly.
After a few seconds I said, "So honey, are you ready to go for a walk?"
"When you hear what I've done, you won't be calling me honey."
Uh-oh.
Her tone indicates I'm in for some pain.
"Can you believe I did it again?!"
Only this time she did it better. All that's left is the cover, wet and limp. No trace of anything else remains.
A year of phone numbers, appointments, tax information, addresses, and memories...
Gone.
I smile and say, "Well, no amount of worrying will bring it back."
But I'm sick inside.
This too will pass.
She came up the stairs behind me and stood at the landing, adjacent to my recliner, quietly.
After a few seconds I said, "So honey, are you ready to go for a walk?"
"When you hear what I've done, you won't be calling me honey."
Uh-oh.
Her tone indicates I'm in for some pain.
"Can you believe I did it again?!"
Only this time she did it better. All that's left is the cover, wet and limp. No trace of anything else remains.
A year of phone numbers, appointments, tax information, addresses, and memories...
Gone.
I smile and say, "Well, no amount of worrying will bring it back."
But I'm sick inside.
This too will pass.
30 September 2008
If You, Like Me, Know History-
What does this most remind you of?
Hope and change, with the new "Presidential Seal" in the background.
Heil Obama!
Hope and change, with the new "Presidential Seal" in the background.
Heil Obama!
A Truly Scary Thought:
There's already a woman just slightly more than a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and that woman is Nancy Pelosi.
God, please keep GWB and Cheney healthy for a little more than a month!
The market closed lower than my post below indicates. When all was sorted out at the end of the day, the Dow Jones average closed down almost 800 points...
A record number, but not a record percentage. I just rechecked, and the DJ average is actually up for the day at this point.
Strange.
And Rodolfo, my warning was for anyone reading the blog.
If you read my old posts, you got the benefit of my questionably valuable opinion.
God, please keep GWB and Cheney healthy for a little more than a month!
The market closed lower than my post below indicates. When all was sorted out at the end of the day, the Dow Jones average closed down almost 800 points...
A record number, but not a record percentage. I just rechecked, and the DJ average is actually up for the day at this point.
Strange.
And Rodolfo, my warning was for anyone reading the blog.
If you read my old posts, you got the benefit of my questionably valuable opinion.
29 September 2008
Bail Out!
I'm thinking "Bailout" has two meanings...
Sometimes I wish I could just "Bail Out" of this machine and let it continue on it's perilous journey by itself.
I watched Fox News with terrified interest as the vote was tallied in the House of Representatives. It was obvious from the start that if the issue was gonna pass, it would be a squeaker. When it didn't pass I watched with equally fearful interest as the Dow Jones average tumbled 700+ points, then recovered to just under a 600 point loss. I kept thinking about a friend at work that just retired, and wondered if he now thinks that was such a good idea. I'm glad now to have the option to continue working as necessary to put more funds in my retirement account, although we all have to be wondering how our individual companies will fare with the fallout from this shakeup, don't we?
So now the finger pointing begins.
George Bush is at fault.
Both houses of Congress are at fault.
Greedy people are at fault, although if others had been doin' their jobs, greedy folks could not have taken advantage of this situation as they have.
I'm most amazed at our Congress.
Democrats are in control and could have passed this bill on their own had it not been such a stinker. It's funny to see those same democrats begging for others to join George Bush to get this monstrosity passed...
I thought GWB was an idiot- that no one in their right mind should follow him?
Yet now we hear Democrats blaming republicans for not following ChimpHitlerBush's lead.
Thank GOD for House Republicans!
And Barney Frank!
Chairman of a committee that should have stopped all this nonsense two years ago, yet he's up to his eyeballs in this corruption.
And of course there are lots of others to blame in both political parties.
THROW THE BUMS OUT !
It's gonna be interesting to watch this unfold...
We find ourselves here in Destin, Florida wondering if we'll be able to buy gas to make our way home:
Will it be available?
Will we be able to afford it, even if it is available?
There will be ramifications to all this we cannot yet foresee.
But many of us have seen it coming for some time and have been warning others.
Did you start buying your Gold coins yet?
It may be a little late for that.
Sometimes I wish I could just "Bail Out" of this machine and let it continue on it's perilous journey by itself.
I watched Fox News with terrified interest as the vote was tallied in the House of Representatives. It was obvious from the start that if the issue was gonna pass, it would be a squeaker. When it didn't pass I watched with equally fearful interest as the Dow Jones average tumbled 700+ points, then recovered to just under a 600 point loss. I kept thinking about a friend at work that just retired, and wondered if he now thinks that was such a good idea. I'm glad now to have the option to continue working as necessary to put more funds in my retirement account, although we all have to be wondering how our individual companies will fare with the fallout from this shakeup, don't we?
So now the finger pointing begins.
George Bush is at fault.
Both houses of Congress are at fault.
Greedy people are at fault, although if others had been doin' their jobs, greedy folks could not have taken advantage of this situation as they have.
I'm most amazed at our Congress.
Democrats are in control and could have passed this bill on their own had it not been such a stinker. It's funny to see those same democrats begging for others to join George Bush to get this monstrosity passed...
I thought GWB was an idiot- that no one in their right mind should follow him?
Yet now we hear Democrats blaming republicans for not following ChimpHitlerBush's lead.
Thank GOD for House Republicans!
And Barney Frank!
Chairman of a committee that should have stopped all this nonsense two years ago, yet he's up to his eyeballs in this corruption.
And of course there are lots of others to blame in both political parties.
THROW THE BUMS OUT !
It's gonna be interesting to watch this unfold...
We find ourselves here in Destin, Florida wondering if we'll be able to buy gas to make our way home:
Will it be available?
Will we be able to afford it, even if it is available?
There will be ramifications to all this we cannot yet foresee.
But many of us have seen it coming for some time and have been warning others.
Did you start buying your Gold coins yet?
It may be a little late for that.
28 September 2008
Destin, September 2008
We arrived late Friday night.
With a few hours sleep under our belts we drove to Pensacola to pick up my Mother, then picked up Big Bubba at the Pensacola airport. Mom will stay a couple days... that's as long as she wants to be away from her cat. Big Bubba will be here through Saturday morning.
This is a great time of year to be in the Florida panhandle. Days are in the mid-80's, nights in the low 60 degree range. There is no rain in the forecast for this week.
There is an obvious sign of our present economic troubles...
On our way to the grocery this evening, I counted 8 "For Sale" signs on condos in less than one mile, more than I've ever seen. Some of these units are new, bought by speculators at the top of the market a couple years ago. It may be YEARS before the market returns to that lofty range.
None of that matters to us though.
I have a meeting to attend here next Saturday after Big Bubba is on his way home. We have almost a week to enjoy the quiet time together here...
Kids are all in school, renters are scarce. No lines at restaurants, no traffic on the streets.
Perfect weather for sitting on the beach.
Wish you were here.
With a few hours sleep under our belts we drove to Pensacola to pick up my Mother, then picked up Big Bubba at the Pensacola airport. Mom will stay a couple days... that's as long as she wants to be away from her cat. Big Bubba will be here through Saturday morning.
This is a great time of year to be in the Florida panhandle. Days are in the mid-80's, nights in the low 60 degree range. There is no rain in the forecast for this week.
There is an obvious sign of our present economic troubles...
On our way to the grocery this evening, I counted 8 "For Sale" signs on condos in less than one mile, more than I've ever seen. Some of these units are new, bought by speculators at the top of the market a couple years ago. It may be YEARS before the market returns to that lofty range.
None of that matters to us though.
I have a meeting to attend here next Saturday after Big Bubba is on his way home. We have almost a week to enjoy the quiet time together here...
Kids are all in school, renters are scarce. No lines at restaurants, no traffic on the streets.
Perfect weather for sitting on the beach.
Wish you were here.
24 September 2008
Lipstick On A Pig
"I told them they don't have to make me look good," Webb says. "They just have to make me look like Sarah Palin."
Well...
I have a news flash for you Ms. Webb...
You'll need hours of work by a real "makeup artist" to even come close. (And have you looked in the mirror at your extra avoirdupois?)
Do these people really think being unnecessarily nasty will win votes for Obama?
Well...
I have a news flash for you Ms. Webb...
You'll need hours of work by a real "makeup artist" to even come close. (And have you looked in the mirror at your extra avoirdupois?)
Do these people really think being unnecessarily nasty will win votes for Obama?
23 September 2008
18 Wheels Of Anxiety
"Man, those lights are bright."
I hadn't noticed those brilliant blue-white lights on a tractor-trailer before. Now here they were, on an 18-wheeler coming up fast in my rear view mirror.
"Wow, he's comin' on really fast!"
It's pre-dawn and I'm on my way to work on a two-lane State highway.
My mirror begins to fill with truck grill, and I'm worried enough about the approach speed that I speed up a little, just in case.
Then he's on the binders, and the truck rapidly recedes in my mirror.
"Good. Maybe he's turning off."
Nope.
Here he comes again, and now he has more of my attention than I'd like to devote to something BEHIND me.
He crosses the double yellow no passing line, stays there for several seconds, then recovers to the right lane so quickly he overshoots and his right wheels leave the roadway momentarily. He recovers to the roadway just before he hits several mailboxes.
Cell phone. 911. Send.
"911, State your emergency."
"I'm being followed by an 18 wheeler that is using both lanes of a two-lane highway."
"Are you on highway *** just East of ****ville?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"You're the second caller about this guy. Standby."
I hear radio traffic in the background over the phone.
She relays my position to someone over the radio and gets a "10-4".
"What are you driving, sir?"
I tell her, and she relays that information to the Deputy.
"Is he still behind you, or did he turn off at "********** trucking?"
Wow. She knows EXACTLY where I am! Cell phone coverage?
"No, he's still behind me."
She also relays that information.
"You should see a Sheriff's Durango on your left, and an unmarked city unit on your right."
And there they are, just as advertised.
The Visibar lights up as the Durango pulls in behind him.
He pulls to the right side of the road so quickly I once again fear he's out of control, but brings the rig to a halt safely.
Drunk?
Tired/sleepy?
Diabetic problems?
I wish I knew the end of this story.
I hadn't noticed those brilliant blue-white lights on a tractor-trailer before. Now here they were, on an 18-wheeler coming up fast in my rear view mirror.
"Wow, he's comin' on really fast!"
It's pre-dawn and I'm on my way to work on a two-lane State highway.
My mirror begins to fill with truck grill, and I'm worried enough about the approach speed that I speed up a little, just in case.
Then he's on the binders, and the truck rapidly recedes in my mirror.
"Good. Maybe he's turning off."
Nope.
Here he comes again, and now he has more of my attention than I'd like to devote to something BEHIND me.
He crosses the double yellow no passing line, stays there for several seconds, then recovers to the right lane so quickly he overshoots and his right wheels leave the roadway momentarily. He recovers to the roadway just before he hits several mailboxes.
Cell phone. 911. Send.
"911, State your emergency."
"I'm being followed by an 18 wheeler that is using both lanes of a two-lane highway."
"Are you on highway *** just East of ****ville?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"You're the second caller about this guy. Standby."
I hear radio traffic in the background over the phone.
She relays my position to someone over the radio and gets a "10-4".
"What are you driving, sir?"
I tell her, and she relays that information to the Deputy.
"Is he still behind you, or did he turn off at "********** trucking?"
Wow. She knows EXACTLY where I am! Cell phone coverage?
"No, he's still behind me."
She also relays that information.
"You should see a Sheriff's Durango on your left, and an unmarked city unit on your right."
And there they are, just as advertised.
The Visibar lights up as the Durango pulls in behind him.
He pulls to the right side of the road so quickly I once again fear he's out of control, but brings the rig to a halt safely.
Drunk?
Tired/sleepy?
Diabetic problems?
I wish I knew the end of this story.
20 September 2008
San Antonio- Why You Should Go
Let me start by admitting I'm not an expert on San Antonio.
Having said that, I'm sure of one thing...
If you go to San Antonio and do nothing other than go to the Alamo and the Riverwalk, you'll be glad you took the trouble.
This was my second visit to the Alamo. I first went in 1968 when touring the Alamo included a real-live guide. At that time our guide expressed my first thoughts:
"Most people come and the first thing they say is, 'It's smaller than I expected' ".
It really is.
It's a tiny church. But the ground those that died defending there was much larger... including much of what is now San Antonio shops across "Alamo Street".
This time I forked over $5 and rented an MP3 player to take a self-guided tour, and learned much more than I did back in 1968.
I'm still moved to tears thinking about 189 men, challenged by a 27 year old Col. Travis to consider whether they wanted to ever see their families again... or stay and defend that indefensible church and mission ground. Those 189 men knew there were 6,000 Mexican soldiers at their doorstep... the most advanced and formidable Army in the Western hemisphere, yet they stayed, knowing their fate.
That courageous action not only allowed Texas eventually to be free, it meant the eventual defeat of a great Army that could have had an affect on a fledgling United States of America.
Who amongst us today has that kind of courage?
God Bless them all.
Did you know the Alamo and surrounding grounds were almost bulldozed in the name of "progress"? You can thank a ballsy lady by the name of Adina de Zavala when you visit the Alamo, because if not for her, there would be no Alamo to visit!
And the Riverwalk-
I first walked the Riverwalk, or what would become today's Riverwalk, when I visited the site of the Hemisfair in San Antonio in 1968.
It will remind you somewhat of Venice, Italy, in that river taxis ply the water, with tour groups learning more about San Antonio, or folks just trying to get from their hotel to a riverside cafe for a great dinner. The Riverwalk is truly a magic place at night, and I cannot describe the atmosphere effectively here.
Let me just say this:
GO.
You won't be disappointed.
19 September 2008
Winding Down From Ike
Home last night at 8:30 P.M. or so, and the reception from Sara Jean and Lucy was extraordinary. Bein' away from home more than a week does have a few benefits! Maybe I should find some reason to leave my girls alone more often?
Working at something this intense for a week leaves you drained. Work, travel to/from work, eat a little, (mostly MRE's and their blue collar cousins, "Heater Meals"), sleep... that seems to be all there was time for. Strange room, strange bed, strange flying area... I was even flying a BK117 that I wasn't familiar with, and there are dozens of differences in each of the aircraft that make it stressful trying to get the job done properly. Having to coordinate flying in a "Restricted" area with hundreds of other aircraft zooming around trying to do their thing... all the stress mounts up after a while. I was ready to come home. I worry a little about others... some pilots came straight from Hurricane Gustav relief to assist with Hurricane Ike. I don't know how they can do it.
Things are winding down in Galveston and Houston. Slowly but surely, electricity is being restored. When homeowners are allowed to return to their properties, I think we'll hear the majority of those homes have serious water damage, and many that appear undamaged will still be torn down due to mold/mud or structural damage. Galveston will be YEARS returning to normal.
We are on our way to Indianapolis today to visit friends and attend an Irish Festival there.
A wrap-up on my "IKE week" will have to wait until I've had time to take a deep breath and recover.
Thanks again everyone for your comments and kind thoughts.
Working at something this intense for a week leaves you drained. Work, travel to/from work, eat a little, (mostly MRE's and their blue collar cousins, "Heater Meals"), sleep... that seems to be all there was time for. Strange room, strange bed, strange flying area... I was even flying a BK117 that I wasn't familiar with, and there are dozens of differences in each of the aircraft that make it stressful trying to get the job done properly. Having to coordinate flying in a "Restricted" area with hundreds of other aircraft zooming around trying to do their thing... all the stress mounts up after a while. I was ready to come home. I worry a little about others... some pilots came straight from Hurricane Gustav relief to assist with Hurricane Ike. I don't know how they can do it.
Things are winding down in Galveston and Houston. Slowly but surely, electricity is being restored. When homeowners are allowed to return to their properties, I think we'll hear the majority of those homes have serious water damage, and many that appear undamaged will still be torn down due to mold/mud or structural damage. Galveston will be YEARS returning to normal.
We are on our way to Indianapolis today to visit friends and attend an Irish Festival there.
A wrap-up on my "IKE week" will have to wait until I've had time to take a deep breath and recover.
Thanks again everyone for your comments and kind thoughts.
18 September 2008
17 September 2008
Galveston Update
Typing this at Brazoria County, TX airport, on our way to the UTMB hospital at Galveston again.
The hospital is adjacent to the harbor. Several shrimp boats made their way into the harbor just before the storm, hoping to offload their full loads of shrimp at the shrimp processing plant there. They ended up having to bug out before offloading, and that cargo is now emitting an odor into a fairly warm Texas atmosphere that can be smelled for miles... it's VERY uncomfortable at the hospital and those nearby neighborhoods. The plant itself is also without power, and whatever shrimp might have been there before they evacuated is also rotting.
UGH.
But it has been heartening watching how relief workers handle storm victims. "Meals, Ready-to-eat" are available to everyone, in addition to water, if you have a container to carry it. Chaplains hover around to provide spiritual support to whoever might need it. Although we are all tired, everyone has the attitude that we need to make the situation better, not worse, so we all smile, shrug our shoulders, and carry on.
This is my last day here... I have to be in Indianapolis for an event on Saturday, so I'm hoping to be there Friday night. I'm scheduled to be on the silver bird tomorrow.
I'll update ya as I can.
Update from Galveston:
Some interesting stuff here.
The hospital is adjacent to the harbor. Several shrimp boats made their way into the harbor just before the storm, hoping to offload their full loads of shrimp at the shrimp processing plant there. They ended up having to bug out before offloading, and that cargo is now emitting an odor into a fairly warm Texas atmosphere that can be smelled for miles... it's VERY uncomfortable at the hospital and those nearby neighborhoods. The plant itself is also without power, and whatever shrimp might have been there before they evacuated is also rotting.
UGH.
But it has been heartening watching how relief workers handle storm victims. "Meals, Ready-to-eat" are available to everyone, in addition to water, if you have a container to carry it. Chaplains hover around to provide spiritual support to whoever might need it. Although we are all tired, everyone has the attitude that we need to make the situation better, not worse, so we all smile, shrug our shoulders, and carry on.
This is my last day here... I have to be in Indianapolis for an event on Saturday, so I'm hoping to be there Friday night. I'm scheduled to be on the silver bird tomorrow.
I'll update ya as I can.
Update from Galveston:
Some interesting stuff here.
16 September 2008
Dateline: Galveston
Two different worlds-
My company is housing us in the Hyatt Hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
I am literally on the ramp to the Emergency Room in Galveston as I type this post, using a new Dell computer placed here by the U.S. ARMY, one of six on a table right outside the ER door. There are also eight telephones that anyone can use... unlimited long-distance to anywhere in the U.S.
The ARMY team is working on the hospital radios to give them the ability to talk with incoming ambulances. What a transition... to go from the rich appointments of the Hyatt, to peeing in a port-a-potty here at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, because the toilets in the hospital don't yet work properly.
Yesterday I flew several federal V.I.P.'s around Galveston Island, to include Dr. Julie Gerberding, administrator of the Center for Disease Control. It was neat meeting her...
another of those folks you've seen enough on TV that you know them and feel you should be able to walk up and say hello.
Today I'm on standby to fly more federal officials to survey the area. I have no word on who might be coming, but I sit prepared to do what is necessary. President Bush flew by in Marine 1 earlier, and there was a rumor goin' around he might show up here in person.
Yesterday I carried my first patient out of here.
When you think of the boneheads that failed to protect themselves by not evacuating, don't be too quick to judge.
Lemme tell you his story.
A 37 year old man, he had just bought the nicest car he had ever owned. With some pride he drove it to Galveston to pick up his 68 year old Mother and take her to higher ground.
She was having none of it. She had been through storms before, and she wasn't leaving her home to get caught in a traffic jam, only to have her house looted before she could return. So he shrugged his shoulders and made the decision to stay and protect her.
By the time the eye of the hurricane rolled over Galveston, they both realized what a mistake they had made. There was 3 feet of water in the living room, and the house had been partially floated/moved off its foundation. Our patient took advantage of the eye's lull and used the extension cord from the vacuum to lash he and his Mother so they couldn't be washed apart in the coming "second act". When the eye passed and the winds started again, the house fell apart around them. They took refuge in the strongest part of the house, the front porch. They spent the rest of the storm there... battered by rain and the surge of water for several hours, wondering if they would survive the night.
This man had had three minor heart attacks before, and this hospital is unable to do more than first aid right now. He had to be transported.
We flew him to Houston Executive airport, took him off the helicopter and loaded him aboard a Fixed Wing Ambulance, and he was on his way to Dallas for the care he needed.
Want human interest?
This man lost his car, and IKE had also taken most of his clothing. On board the helicopter we had T-Shirts with our company logo and we gave him one... the start of his totally new wardrobe.
Flying around Galveston, it's interesting to see what has been damaged and what hasn't. New construction obviously fared better than old, and homes closer to the water are all damaged in some way. New construction methods really ARE working.
To those who have commented below... DM, and Nec... thank you.
And TWD... thanks for your comments too. We'll cut the young man some slack...
I gotta think he really is worth a dialogue.
More later folks, and I have much to share with you.
My company is housing us in the Hyatt Hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
I am literally on the ramp to the Emergency Room in Galveston as I type this post, using a new Dell computer placed here by the U.S. ARMY, one of six on a table right outside the ER door. There are also eight telephones that anyone can use... unlimited long-distance to anywhere in the U.S.
The ARMY team is working on the hospital radios to give them the ability to talk with incoming ambulances. What a transition... to go from the rich appointments of the Hyatt, to peeing in a port-a-potty here at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, because the toilets in the hospital don't yet work properly.
Yesterday I flew several federal V.I.P.'s around Galveston Island, to include Dr. Julie Gerberding, administrator of the Center for Disease Control. It was neat meeting her...
another of those folks you've seen enough on TV that you know them and feel you should be able to walk up and say hello.
Today I'm on standby to fly more federal officials to survey the area. I have no word on who might be coming, but I sit prepared to do what is necessary. President Bush flew by in Marine 1 earlier, and there was a rumor goin' around he might show up here in person.
Yesterday I carried my first patient out of here.
When you think of the boneheads that failed to protect themselves by not evacuating, don't be too quick to judge.
Lemme tell you his story.
A 37 year old man, he had just bought the nicest car he had ever owned. With some pride he drove it to Galveston to pick up his 68 year old Mother and take her to higher ground.
She was having none of it. She had been through storms before, and she wasn't leaving her home to get caught in a traffic jam, only to have her house looted before she could return. So he shrugged his shoulders and made the decision to stay and protect her.
By the time the eye of the hurricane rolled over Galveston, they both realized what a mistake they had made. There was 3 feet of water in the living room, and the house had been partially floated/moved off its foundation. Our patient took advantage of the eye's lull and used the extension cord from the vacuum to lash he and his Mother so they couldn't be washed apart in the coming "second act". When the eye passed and the winds started again, the house fell apart around them. They took refuge in the strongest part of the house, the front porch. They spent the rest of the storm there... battered by rain and the surge of water for several hours, wondering if they would survive the night.
This man had had three minor heart attacks before, and this hospital is unable to do more than first aid right now. He had to be transported.
We flew him to Houston Executive airport, took him off the helicopter and loaded him aboard a Fixed Wing Ambulance, and he was on his way to Dallas for the care he needed.
Want human interest?
This man lost his car, and IKE had also taken most of his clothing. On board the helicopter we had T-Shirts with our company logo and we gave him one... the start of his totally new wardrobe.
Flying around Galveston, it's interesting to see what has been damaged and what hasn't. New construction obviously fared better than old, and homes closer to the water are all damaged in some way. New construction methods really ARE working.
To those who have commented below... DM, and Nec... thank you.
And TWD... thanks for your comments too. We'll cut the young man some slack...
I gotta think he really is worth a dialogue.
More later folks, and I have much to share with you.
14 September 2008
Hurry Up And Wait
Once again I'm borrowing time on someone else's computer. I've decided I'll soon be investing in one of these new "mini" laptops, probably the one just being marketed by Dell.
I don't know why it wasn't obvious...
We're down here because of extreme weather, brought about by geography and environmental conditions. Why did I think once IKE was on the move we'd be able to fly around the clock to lend a helping hand?
We're dealing with several big bureaucracies and their individual chains-of-command to be tasked with moving a patient. The procedure itself takes hours, then we have to deal with weather, being able to complete the flight during normal hours required by Federal Aviation Regulations, and the amount of light available if we'll be flying into an area with tall, unlit towers.
So far, the extent of my duties has been to preflight, be briefed on mission and mission changes, then eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. We are now eating ONLY because we are bored to tears.
There are thunderstorms in Houston and Galveston. It makes ya want to pull your hair out, knowing there are patients needing our help that we cannot fly because of factors totally beyond our control.
I WANT TO SCREAM.
I've been here four days and have yet to help a soul. This afternoon, (Sunday), looks ugly, and I'll probably run out of F.A.R. required duty time before it clears enough for us to head that way. Then comes that boogey man again... darkness.
Thank God for ground ambulances... I bet those folks are working their tushies off.
There are 15 medical helicopters on this ramp, Lord. Give us weather to do our jobs, please.
I'm taking pictures to share with you later.
I'll update ya when I can.
I don't know why it wasn't obvious...
We're down here because of extreme weather, brought about by geography and environmental conditions. Why did I think once IKE was on the move we'd be able to fly around the clock to lend a helping hand?
We're dealing with several big bureaucracies and their individual chains-of-command to be tasked with moving a patient. The procedure itself takes hours, then we have to deal with weather, being able to complete the flight during normal hours required by Federal Aviation Regulations, and the amount of light available if we'll be flying into an area with tall, unlit towers.
So far, the extent of my duties has been to preflight, be briefed on mission and mission changes, then eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. We are now eating ONLY because we are bored to tears.
There are thunderstorms in Houston and Galveston. It makes ya want to pull your hair out, knowing there are patients needing our help that we cannot fly because of factors totally beyond our control.
I WANT TO SCREAM.
I've been here four days and have yet to help a soul. This afternoon, (Sunday), looks ugly, and I'll probably run out of F.A.R. required duty time before it clears enough for us to head that way. Then comes that boogey man again... darkness.
Thank God for ground ambulances... I bet those folks are working their tushies off.
There are 15 medical helicopters on this ramp, Lord. Give us weather to do our jobs, please.
I'm taking pictures to share with you later.
I'll update ya when I can.
12 September 2008
Runnin' Like The Coward I Am!
I didn't even get a chance to transport ONE patient!
My counterpart flew the aircraft back to our base of operations late last night. By the time I received the necessary briefings and had preflighted, management decided we needed to bug out to protect these big dollar machines. Eight helicopters took off for shelter... four to Del Rio, Texas, and four to Junction City, Texas. I was in the Del Rio contingent.
So here I sit, typing on a borrowed computer... (believe it or not I convinced the motel manager to let me use her machine. I'm in her office alone, and could cause terrible mischief if I wanted!)
God Bless her for being a good samaritan.
Now we wait.
Wait for Ike to do whatever damage he's gonna do, then we'll come in behind him and try to provide whatever help we can.
In the meantime, the weather is fine here in Del Rio right now. The beer is cold. The enchiladas, refried beans and spanish rice are wonderful.
Wish you were here!
My counterpart flew the aircraft back to our base of operations late last night. By the time I received the necessary briefings and had preflighted, management decided we needed to bug out to protect these big dollar machines. Eight helicopters took off for shelter... four to Del Rio, Texas, and four to Junction City, Texas. I was in the Del Rio contingent.
So here I sit, typing on a borrowed computer... (believe it or not I convinced the motel manager to let me use her machine. I'm in her office alone, and could cause terrible mischief if I wanted!)
God Bless her for being a good samaritan.
Now we wait.
Wait for Ike to do whatever damage he's gonna do, then we'll come in behind him and try to provide whatever help we can.
In the meantime, the weather is fine here in Del Rio right now. The beer is cold. The enchiladas, refried beans and spanish rice are wonderful.
Wish you were here!
11 September 2008
Ike, Yikes!
A quicky...
I'm safely in San Antonio, Mom. I can't tell you that personally if you don't answer your phone!
Fourteen helicopters here doin' the job. Tonight (Thursday) looks flyable all night long. Weather should not be a factor, so the only glitch is flying in an unfamiliar area.
Tomorrow night though... ?
Talking with guys that have done this job before brought up something I hadn't considered...
When the power goes out, all those tall "airplane grabbers" will be unlit.
Think I'll start bein' chicken?
You bet!
More when I can.
Thank you all so much for the kind words.
Right now they're indicating Galveston/Houston.
Bad.
I'm safely in San Antonio, Mom. I can't tell you that personally if you don't answer your phone!
Fourteen helicopters here doin' the job. Tonight (Thursday) looks flyable all night long. Weather should not be a factor, so the only glitch is flying in an unfamiliar area.
Tomorrow night though... ?
Talking with guys that have done this job before brought up something I hadn't considered...
When the power goes out, all those tall "airplane grabbers" will be unlit.
Think I'll start bein' chicken?
You bet!
More when I can.
Thank you all so much for the kind words.
Right now they're indicating Galveston/Houston.
Bad.
10 September 2008
Greybeard's Excellent Adventure
Bim, Bam, Boom!
No sooner had I gotten to work tonight than my lead pilot asked:
"Wanta go to Texas?"
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
So I'll be flying the pressurized "silver bus with wings" tomorrow afternoon to Dallas, then connect to San Antonio where my rotary-winged steed should await me. In Alamo town, crew and helicopter will wait and see what IKE has in store for Texas' Gulf Coast.
If necessary, we'll move patients from coastal hospitals inland to safety, and do other jobs as needed.
I initially thought about taking the laptop with me, but tomorrow I may literally be sleeping on an ARMY cot in a gymnasium, and security may be an issue. If I can, I'll hijack someone else's computer and update you as possible.
I'll be fine.
Pray for Gulf Coasters.
IKE looks like a real troublemaker.
Obama- Friend of Bill
From ABC News:
It is my sincere hope to one day get face to face with this man.
He, like John Kerry, and so many other anti-war folks I have mentioned before, is responsible for MILLIONS of deaths.
It is my sincere hope to one day get face to face with this man.
He, like John Kerry, and so many other anti-war folks I have mentioned before, is responsible for MILLIONS of deaths.
09 September 2008
Pacifica Radio... PWNED!
This is a little over 9 minutes long.
If you're an Obama supporter, don't waste your time.
If you're a fan of Pitbulls with lipstick, you'll laugh out loud at "puppets" being embarrassed by Senator Mike Gravel.
HT: Q and O
If you're an Obama supporter, don't waste your time.
If you're a fan of Pitbulls with lipstick, you'll laugh out loud at "puppets" being embarrassed by Senator Mike Gravel.
HT: Q and O
"Lipstick On A Pig"
From a comment at YouTube about Obama's latest gaffe:
"Obama will be elected President when pigs with lipstick fly!"
Gotta love it.
"Obama will be elected President when pigs with lipstick fly!"
Gotta love it.
Long Term Health Care
Young folks...
You may want to skip this one.
My lovely wife and I just got off the phone after talking for over an hour.
I've applied for a long-term health care policy, and an RN from who-knows-where called and asked us personal health questions you can't even imagine. I've been carrying seriously ill patients to tertiary care centers for 22 years, and I AIN'T NEVER HEARD of summa the things she asked about!
And MAN!
Beyond finding out I'm actively employed as a commercial pilot, do we STILL need to ask some of these questions?!!
"Do you use a motorized device instead of walking in your daily activities?"
Yes, sweetheart!
I drive my "hover-round" out to the helicopter and my paramedic helps me up into the cockpit.
She's on a recorded line, so I'm sure they review and make sure all the questions are asked and properly answered. Still... we are slaves to our technology, aren't we?
I'm 61. Sara Jean is 51. I've been considering long-term health care for several years now, but it always seemed too expensive, and the industry was so new there were lots of questions about what we really needed in the way of benefits...
Payments for health procedures, and particularly housing during rehab or long term nursing facilities.
This one seems reasonable and adequate. If issued with no glitches, it will cost $150 monthly, but will pay various bills into the hundreds of thousands of dollars if needed. We've seen enough tragedy in our lives over the last several months, I finally decided to pull the trigger and get coverage for both of us.
Still, it's a complicated, uncomfortable mess.
If you're interested in any of this, say so in the comments.
When I know even more details on this plan, I'll share.
You may want to skip this one.
My lovely wife and I just got off the phone after talking for over an hour.
I've applied for a long-term health care policy, and an RN from who-knows-where called and asked us personal health questions you can't even imagine. I've been carrying seriously ill patients to tertiary care centers for 22 years, and I AIN'T NEVER HEARD of summa the things she asked about!
And MAN!
Beyond finding out I'm actively employed as a commercial pilot, do we STILL need to ask some of these questions?!!
"Do you use a motorized device instead of walking in your daily activities?"
Yes, sweetheart!
I drive my "hover-round" out to the helicopter and my paramedic helps me up into the cockpit.
She's on a recorded line, so I'm sure they review and make sure all the questions are asked and properly answered. Still... we are slaves to our technology, aren't we?
I'm 61. Sara Jean is 51. I've been considering long-term health care for several years now, but it always seemed too expensive, and the industry was so new there were lots of questions about what we really needed in the way of benefits...
Payments for health procedures, and particularly housing during rehab or long term nursing facilities.
This one seems reasonable and adequate. If issued with no glitches, it will cost $150 monthly, but will pay various bills into the hundreds of thousands of dollars if needed. We've seen enough tragedy in our lives over the last several months, I finally decided to pull the trigger and get coverage for both of us.
Still, it's a complicated, uncomfortable mess.
If you're interested in any of this, say so in the comments.
When I know even more details on this plan, I'll share.
08 September 2008
Paranormal Believer?
Marx-Dudek
Added later:
A.K. Marx-Dudek, unlike C.K. "Dexter" Haven, is a female.
Some of you may have read the exchange between me and A.K. Marx-Dudek in a post below. It pays, obviously, when having a discussion with someone, to take a look at their blog, (if they're motivated to have one, R!), and get a feeling for their beliefs and world cares. I did that with A.K.M-D's blog... but initially I didn't dig deep enough.
The blog I checked was a "Blogger" blog. I finally woke up enough to see he has moved his "Blogger" blog to new digs... he now blogs here.
One of the things we had pounded into us during OCS was to pay "attention to detail, Candidate!" So I sometimes have alarm bells go off for no good reason. But the name "Marx" as part of such a strange name jangled the jingle in the back of my head. He's obviously intelligent and articulate... and I absolutely HATE it when people stop by and aren't moved enough to comment, so I'm pleased even when someone disagrees but says my words moved them to action, which Marx-Dudek did.
But checking out his new blog verified that sometimes you need to pay attention to your gut... even if it's just setting off tiny alarms.
Read far enough into his new blog and you'll notice something interesting...
Marx-Dudek is a Marxist. A gen-U-wine, bona-fide, idealist.
He's still intelligent. He's still articulate. At his heart, he may be a nice guy.
Some would have said the same thing about Karl Marx or
Vladimir I. Lenin.
So here's the deal, folks. We have been told our Candidate Obama has Marxist tendencies. That seems to be validated by the fact that someone like Marx-Dudek from Holland thinks Obama is who we in the U.S. should be voting for. So Marxists love Obama? Surprise, surprise, surprise!
Please, please, please M-D...
Come back now and tell us more about why Obama is our best choice.
I promise not to harangue you ever again.
A.K. Marx-Dudek, unlike C.K. "Dexter" Haven, is a female.
Some of you may have read the exchange between me and A.K. Marx-Dudek in a post below. It pays, obviously, when having a discussion with someone, to take a look at their blog, (if they're motivated to have one, R!), and get a feeling for their beliefs and world cares. I did that with A.K.M-D's blog... but initially I didn't dig deep enough.
The blog I checked was a "Blogger" blog. I finally woke up enough to see he has moved his "Blogger" blog to new digs... he now blogs here.
One of the things we had pounded into us during OCS was to pay "attention to detail, Candidate!" So I sometimes have alarm bells go off for no good reason. But the name "Marx" as part of such a strange name jangled the jingle in the back of my head. He's obviously intelligent and articulate... and I absolutely HATE it when people stop by and aren't moved enough to comment, so I'm pleased even when someone disagrees but says my words moved them to action, which Marx-Dudek did.
But checking out his new blog verified that sometimes you need to pay attention to your gut... even if it's just setting off tiny alarms.
Read far enough into his new blog and you'll notice something interesting...
Marx-Dudek is a Marxist. A gen-U-wine, bona-fide, idealist.
He's still intelligent. He's still articulate. At his heart, he may be a nice guy.
Some would have said the same thing about Karl Marx or
Vladimir I. Lenin.
So here's the deal, folks. We have been told our Candidate Obama has Marxist tendencies. That seems to be validated by the fact that someone like Marx-Dudek from Holland thinks Obama is who we in the U.S. should be voting for. So Marxists love Obama? Surprise, surprise, surprise!
Please, please, please M-D...
Come back now and tell us more about why Obama is our best choice.
I promise not to harangue you ever again.
Funner, And Funner, And FUNNER!
TalkLeft started a poll to see who could come closest to guessing how many days Sarah Palin would last before being forced off the republican ticket.
On the other hand, Oliver Willis says republicans are now sorry she's not at the top of the ticket, rather than in the V.P. slot!
Sarahcuda has lefties rattled.
Bad.
REAL bad.
(Change is coming!)
On the other hand, Oliver Willis says republicans are now sorry she's not at the top of the ticket, rather than in the V.P. slot!
Sarahcuda has lefties rattled.
Bad.
REAL bad.
(Change is coming!)
07 September 2008
06 September 2008
Missing Pieces
I've known her for 21 years.
I've known him for 20.
I saw him just two days ago. We talked of meeting for dinner.
They went to a movie then came home.
They argued. Neighbors heard it.
She and her 13 year old daughter went to the car.
She forgot her cell phone and went back to the house to grab it.
The daughter heard one shot, then another.
Both... gone.
Why?
I've known him for 20.
I saw him just two days ago. We talked of meeting for dinner.
They went to a movie then came home.
They argued. Neighbors heard it.
She and her 13 year old daughter went to the car.
She forgot her cell phone and went back to the house to grab it.
The daughter heard one shot, then another.
Both... gone.
Why?
05 September 2008
04 September 2008
Sarah Palin?
She's got a funny name... Palin.What kinda name is that?
And she sure as heck doesn't look like all the Presidents on those dollar bills, does she?
DID YOU SEE THAT SPEECH?!!!
And can you read that T-shirt? ;>)
03 September 2008
The Diddy Retort!
Word!
This video is a response to one published by "P-Diddy".
I won't trouble you with that video, because frankly I don't care "Diddly" about "Diddy" or what he thinks.
He's not even from my universe.
This guy is more my speed:
This video is a response to one published by "P-Diddy".
I won't trouble you with that video, because frankly I don't care "Diddly" about "Diddy" or what he thinks.
He's not even from my universe.
This guy is more my speed:
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