Yay Its Friday.

Some times I am so glad it's Friday & this happens to be one of the weeks. While the last two weeks has not been so bad here at work. It becomes more and more depressing to come into an empty shop where for most of the day you have nothing to do. I mean after all I can only do so much playing on the internet and starting political fights. :)

We had a good run starting with about Monday October the 20th then by about Wednesday of this week things started to slow down and Thursday we stood around talking and looking at each other most of the day.

We are down in sales so much that looking at figures only serves to make me cry and yes I do mean cry that's how bad it is. You know a week or two of good days here or there will not make up for a year to two years of sales losses. I have been doing this for about 15 years now and have never seen a down turn in automotive repair like I have seen with in the last year to year and a half.

We have been on a steady decline since the gas prices first spiked about two years ago.

It is very depressing and makes me very uneasy. I have never had to worry about finding myself a job but. I think if something were to happen to my employment now that I would end up being out of work for some time! I know of way to many people in this industry both friends & people I know just by name that are out of work and NO ONE is hiring!

Worried would be an understatement! all I can do is hope we can hang on.

With that said I am glad it Friday!

Everyone have a good day!

We Need More Like This

You know just when I think all hope is lost for people and there is no good left on this earth I read something like this. If only we had more people like the woman in this story there would be no need for an abused welfare system.

DALLAS — A Texas woman went to a housing auction distraught about the prospect of watching strangers bid on her foreclosed home.

Then one of those strangers bought it back for her.

Now Tracy Orr can return to her Pottsboro home, making payments to the woman who unexpectedly and impulsively bought it for her.

"It means so much to all of us," Orr told Dallas television station WFAA. "It's not just a house."

Marilyn Mock said she was acting on instinct on Saturday when she decided to buy a house she had never seen for a woman she had never met. Mock was at the foreclosure auction to help her 27-year-old son bid on a house when she struck up a conversation with Orr, who was crying about losing her home.

Orr had bought the house for $80,000 in 2004 but fell behind on the payments. She lost her job a month after taking out the loan, and earlier this year she lost the house. On the spot, Mock decided to buy it, eventually bidding $30,000.

"She didn't even know if I had a job or was a nut case," Orr said in a story for Wednesday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News. "She didn't even see a picture of the house."

Mock told a crying Orr she could stay in the house, making payments to her instead of a bank.

"She needed help. That was it," Mock told the newspaper. "I just happened to be there and anybody else would have done the same thing."

Orr said she hopes others will do as Mock did.

"More than my house, she gave me something inside, and that's more important than material or financial things," she said.

The two are waiting on final approval from Fannie Mae before visiting the home.

Mock's son also got a home at the auction.

The woman in this story saw something in the other person. You see I believe that you can tell when someone is trying to take you for a ride. The woman knew she needed to help and she did. You can tell when its not all smoke and mirrors. I hope everyone reads this story and will get something out of it!

"anybody else would have done the same thing."

And no that's the issue not just anyone would have done the same thing even if that had the money to do it!

A Real Worry For Me But Funny None The Less

I saw this video the other day a friend of mine posted it on Face Book. I have to admit I laugh at it every time I see it now. But all joking aside it could be seen as a real worry for me in that I fall a good bit more then most. I could just see myself doing the same thing. And wanting to go hide in shame and never talk to them again LOL..

A Good Point Of View From An Old Friend

FIrst of All this post is very long but please it is well worth reading.......

I had gotten into a bit of a discussion about Obama with an old friend of mine (Ken Jones) on Face Book One of my biggest fears with Obama is "Will he really up hold this county's Christian Values and moral standards?" My fear contrary to what some of you who read my blogs think is not "race" based I question Obama's believe system that is really my only fear of the man. (Well that and there is no way in hell we are going to be able to pay for his health care plan.) But thats another can of worms. Any way my question to Ken was this: "Do you really think that Obama will up hold this country's Christian values?"

For the record Ken is a Seventh-day Adventist so his view is of course from that of an Adventist.

And so a direct quote from Ken's replies on the topic of "Will Obama up hold this country's Christian Values."

Hey, re-read my post, I never said "you" or certainly wasn't attacking you, I was talking about the various fear based "talking points" that have been rolled out by the Republican machine. I certainly respect your opinion and your willingness to keep an open mind, so let me address your core question. How can a Christian, or furthermore an SDA, vote Democratic? I've given this a lot of thought personally, and I have a couple of opinions. 1) Neither party provides a completely compatible platform for SDA's, to me, our beliefs would most accurately line up with that of a conservative democrat or a liberal republican. I personally could be classed as either one.
My problem with the Republicans is that as an SDA we tend to value highly the separation of church and state, (or as some say, church and hate, lol). The GOP right loves to blur this line, by trying to legislate things I don't believe support the example Jesus left at all. The whole mix of the flag, our founding fathers, and Jesus is very uncomfortable if you really look at how our country was founded. Was it really some mandate from God? Built on the backs of slaves and stolen from the Native Americans?? But I digress....lets just say that the way Jesus chose to become a CHANGE agent did not involve legislation or working with the politicians of the day. He showed general disdain for these political structures, actually.
2) SDA's support LIFE. This makes the abortion stance of the Dems incompatible, no doubt. By the same token, the abortion issue is not the only flagrant disregard for the sanctity of life. The way the Repubs tend to be war hawkish, to be ready to send troops into harms way with little regard for diplomacy or their being a just cause is definately troubling for me! The Repubs tend to have this nationalistic flair that smacks of the Ugly American other countries loathe. The unilateral attitude sucks and won't work in this complicated world. We need allies!

....and this means more than just trying to buy or strong arm cooperation. This for us or against us crap! THAT is not diplomacy, but those overtones continue to reverberate through the GOP. Again, I digress...my point is the death tolls from a pointless and unjust war in Iraq I find hard to stomach. And I'm not just talking about American lives. I'm talking about Iraqi children whose daddies are not coming home, needless casualties. If we go to war, it needs to be for cause, for a just cause. Repubs carry that "the poor are usually that way b/c they're lazy" mentality. The Bible is clear about how a just society should treat the poor. I'm a social worker. I know what welfare pays. I talk to people all the time who have to choose between accepting welfare for their children, or fighting through barriers to land a min. wage job which won't even pay for daycare and food, so they make a "business decision," and stay on welfare so that they can spend time with their kids and scrape by. Is the system abused at times? Sure. But while we're talking about abused systems, shall we compare to the system which led to this billion dollar bailout?? At least when people abuse welfare, it doesn't lead to economic collapse!! But the Repubs don't want to make that comparison....Basically, I find the religious right extremely hypocritical, and most of the time I'm embarrassed by the way the misrepresent the Jesus I love. So here's my shocking statement.

I believe Jesus would be a Democrat!!! He was a liberal to the leaders of his day! He was definately not a conservative! He wrecked their traditions, hung out with pimps and hoes, partied with sinners and those who's sexual identity didnt sit well with the religious elite, He plucked grain on the Sabbath, and healed in the temple. These acts were heresy to the religious right of the day! He was a radical. Plain and simple.

And we haven't even talked about his treatment of the poor. It definitely wasn't an attitude of economic Darwinism. So my point is, from a Christian standpoint, I have NEVER understood the so many SDA's completely back a party which one day will be behind the total erosion of separation of church and state. There is a natural tension for SDA's in either party. We are faced with a decision between the lesser of two evils. I can be a pro-life Democrat, which is the position I've chosen because to me pro-life also means how we treat the less fortunate.
As for your Obama's comment about spreading the wealth, which was way taken out of context, I would only ask Christians to consider the early church in the book of Acts, where the people sold all and gave it to the apostles, who redistributed to all so that noone was wanting. Noone wants to talk about that, b/c it sounds like the S word, and we all know that Jesus founded this country on Capitalism, didn't He? Or is capitalism even Biblical??

Ken thank you very much for your point of view and your insight on Obama. You made a very clear point here I don't know that you will sway my vote by this but it was a good point none the less.

Disclaimer: I have not been a practicing Christian of any kind for MANY years to many to count really (although I have been to church more in the last year then I have in the last 15 years.... Thanks to Amy Kreismanis) well and maybe a Godly power :)

with that said though I do believe that it is important for Christians to have a voice in the country and I am just scared that "Christians" are losing the fight. And I really believe that we DO need the Christian point of view.

Well Winter Might Be Here

Well here comes the cold weather or is it that it is already here. As I sit here and listen to the wind blow and the bay doors here in the shop make noise as the wind hits them. The one thing that I notice with the cold weather more then I used to years ago. My lips are already chapped I have taken notice over the last few years that my lips become chapped much more easily then they ever used to and it only happens with the cold weather. Or is it the heat? that is used in the house? I have no idea.... But I think it must have something to do with age I'm not old by any means but why did chapped lips not ever happen to me years ago? Can any one answer that?

I hate using things like chap stick I don't like the way it feels. Just one of the things that reminds me sometimes that I might like to live in a warmer place.

I Wanna Be A Cool Avatar.........

If you don't play Second Life you will not really understand how funny his song is. But if you have done some reading on Second Life or seen some things in the news about it this song might make sense. Enjoy........ I thought it was time for something funny

Friday Rant - Oil Changes do not cut it

Well today has been one of those Fridays I would care not to relive. My blood pressure I am sure is a good bit higher then it should be and I am about at wits end and ready for 5:00pm.

Let me start by saying this I work in a "Automotive Service & Repair Shop" we are NOT a "Quick Lube Center" If all you are going to let me do to your vehicle is oil changes please go to a quick lube center don't do me any favors.

Oil changes alone DO NOT pay our bills nor do they pay mine as an employee of our shop. As a matter of fact with the ever rising cost of oil and other supplies our shop takes a loss on oil changes.

We do oil changes as a vehicle maintenance and a service to our regular customers that spend thier money here on other things like Brake Repairs, Exhaust Repairs, Suspension, repairs, & other vehicle break down repairs. the list goes on and on. The only thing I do not really push here as a service manger is tires. We are not a tire dealer there for our tire prices are not in line with the big tire stores so I do recommend to people that they shop else where for tires in some cases.

The stories that caused this:

#1. Customer called wanted to drop his car off for an oil change fine I said bring it in.....

So the customer brings in the vehicle >I pull up the information and I see the last time it was in was 10,000 miles ago & we had 5 yes 5 recommendations of needed repairs that at the time they told me they could not do. ok fine. >So we pull the vehicle in they are 7,000 miles over due on the oil change. >And it still needs the 5 recommendations plus two more!! DO you think they elected to do any of the needed maintenance? NO! Sorry if I sound harsh I don't want your business if all I am getting is a $30 or $40 oil changes everytime you come in. Again go to the Quick Lube place across the street!

#2
This customer flat out lied to me.......

This customers car broke down and would not start so they had it towed in. When this vehicle got here I pulled up the information and saw the last time it was in that it had a coolant leak. What is called the intake manifold was leaking coolant. My note at that time was the customer said they were going to bring it back to have it fixed. YES I have notes on my recemmendations as to what the reason the repairs were declined.

The tech was looking at things and low and behold the coolant is/was low and the intake is still leaking. I called the customer about the other issues they were having and I also told them that the intake was still leaking. Reply "I had that fixed" I said "Well if you did you need to bring me the recipt so I can see what they did cause you are still having issues." I said "Who did it?" They said "Ah..... I don't remember" Hello and intake repair is at least $1,000.00 You don't remember where you spent the $1,000.00???????? It flat out has not been done its like telling a dentist you brush when you don't. He can tell you haven't

The only other answer here is that another shop charged for work they didn't do but that's why I asked to see the invoice from the other repair shop so I could confirm the work they were charged for is done.

Bottom line is here profit is not a dirty word we are here to make money and pay our bills and in turn we provide you the customer with a safe dependable vehicle. Now I will agree there are shops out there that like to take you for a ride. I assure you if I tell you you need something you need it. It does me no good to lie about what your vehicle needs. It will come back and bite me in the ass if I do that.

It just blows my mind that people would sooner go out and drop $3,000.00 on a new LCD TV or $100.00 for dinner out then put $300 or $400 into their car at anyone time.

Edit: fixing a car that is paid for is cheaper then buying a new one ever 4 -5 years even if the repairs are starting to cost you some money. $1,000.00 every 6 months is cheaper then a car loan at $300.00 - $500.00 a month

I Agree

Story:

And older guy came in this morning and here is how our conversation went....

Dan >"How are you?"

Customer >"I'm ok but I wish people would stop talking about the election."

Dan >"Why is that?"

Customer >"It don't make a damn who's in there its going to be fucked up either way."

I agree with this man 100% Either way this thing goes comes Nov. we are in a heap of crap!

Why?

Well here is an interesting story for the day. The background we have a "sever" at work that stores all our POS and shop management software. And even though I'm not really an IT guy I know how the system works I know how to fix things when they are not working on our computer system. We have three computers and they all feed off of the "server" Including my workstation at the write up area. So this morning I am working away we had a few cars here so I had some estimates to work up. Well to do this I need to get into "The Labor Guide"> on the "Server" it is simple really point > click > it opens up. Well rather then it opening this morning I get an error saying "The Shop Key Parts and Labor Guide is not installed on this machine. Please call ###-###-####." (Thinking to myself ah......... I just used it 5 min. ago WTF?) SO I start doing some checking........ After many checks I found that the "data path" had changed ie. where the computer looks for the information. The server drive is "Z" on our system it was looking for the info on my local machine's Drive "C" Now I didn't change anything how did it change itself and within a few min. time? Is it a virus? I don't think so Norton has not picked anything up.

Just some stupid things that make you go hmm.. LOL

I must be stupid......

Today Foxnews:

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday a radical plan to buy massive amounts of short-term debts in a dramatic effort to break through a credit clog that is imperiling the U.S. economy.

The Federal Reserve will buy "commercial paper," a short-term financing mechanism that many companies rely on to finance their day-to-day operations, such as purchasing supplies or making payrolls.

Call me stupid and while its true I am not one to talk about managing money. The way I understand this is. Companies sometimes barrow money short term ie. as little as 24 hours up to weeks at a time to fund their day to day operations. And part of the issue with this credit mess is these options are not out there right now for the companies that run their operations this way. Thus the Fed. is taking steps to try and open those short term credit lines up to these companies again.

I liken this type of loan to what us private sector folk call a "Payday Loan" My boss is not only my boss he is a good friend of mine we were talking about this. We have been in business 5 years he is the sole owner of our company and NEVER once taken out a loan to pay payroll or buy day to day supplies. His response to companies taking out short term loans is "Well they are not managing their cash flow right in the first place!"

Now we did agree that there are just times when some companies depending on the industry they are in need a loan to fund their day to day operations. But as a rule we both think it is crazy that any company of any sizee would have to take out a loan for a term as short as 24 hours.

Most companies already have agreements with their venders that let them buy goods on what is call a "net 30" or "net 15" account ie. Companies have up to 30 or 15 days to pay for items they have bought from venders with out interest. So over that I am not sure what the need for these short term loans is. Who knows maybe its not that simple. But I think the goverment is putting their hands where they don't belong.

Wells Fargo To Buy Wachovia With Out FDIC Help

I saw this story this morning I have my bank accounts with Wachovia so needless to say I have been keeping an eye on what happens with them. This story in and of itself makes me think that just MAYBE we don't need the government to put their hands into everything we don't need them to come in and save the economy . The first deal of Citi to over take Wachovia included the FDIC's help in that Citi wanted the FDIC to take on some of Wachovia's massive outstanding debt. The new deal between Wells Fargo WILL NOT COST THE FDIC OR THE GOVERNMENT A DIME! And thats how it should be I say kudos to Wells Fargo for stepping in and saving the day with out the FDIC's help.

Of course Wells maybe thinking that this bail out bill will pass and they will be able to pass off some of the massive debt they have picked up I don't know. We will see how things pan out

Credit Foxnews:

Wells Fargo one-upped Citigroup on Friday by unveiling a $15.1 billion deal to acquire all of Wachovia.

The Wells Fargo offer (WFC: 35.16, -1.54, -4.19%) supersedes Citigroup’s (C: 22.50, -0.50, -2.17%) offer to acquire Wachovia’s (WB: 3.91, +0.36, +10.14%) banking operations with help from the government.

If approved by regulators and Wachovia shareholders, the all-stock deal will give Wachovia shareholders 0.1991 shares of Wells Fargo common stock in exchange for each share of Wachovia.

Wells Fargo said it will acquire all of Wachovia’s businesses and obligations, including its preferred equity, indebtedness and banking deposits. Boards of both Wells Fargo and Wachovia signed off on the deal.

Wells Fargo, which has managed the credit crisis better than many of its rivals, said it expects to incur $10 billion in merger and integration charges from the deal.

To help pay for the deal, Wells Fargo said it plans to raise $20 billion in a common stock offering.

“We at Wachovia have great admiration and respect for the people and businesses at Wells Fargo and we are extremely pleased to join forces with this outstanding company,” Robert K. Steel, president and CEO of Wachovia, said in a statement.

The Wells Fargo offer is a big setback for Citi, which had agreed to swallow Wachovia’s banking operations in a government-assisted deal worth $2.1 billion of Citi stock.

At the time, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Wachovia “did not fail.” The FDIC said its assistance was needed to avoid serious adverse effects no the economy and came after consultation with President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Citi’s shares had soared since it announced its bid as the combined banking operations would have created a U.S. retail bank with $1.3 trillion in deposits or 9.8% of the U.S. market.

It was a sweetheart deal for Citi as the government agreed to share in losses on Wachovia’s loans. At the same time, Citi announced a $10 billion common share capital raise and plans to slash its dividend to 16 cents.

Prior to Citi’s rescue of Wachovia on Monday, reports swirled that Wells Fargo was very much in the hunt to acquire Wachovia.

“This agreement represents a compelling value for Wachovia shareholders,” said Wells Fargo Chairman Dick Kovacevich. “It provides superior value compared to the previous offer to acquire only the banking operations of the company and because Wachovia shareholders will have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the growth and success of a combined Wachovia-Wells Fargo that will be one of the world’s great financial services companies.”

Kovacevich added, “And, of course, this agreement won’t require even a penny from the FDIC.”

Wells Fargo said Wachovia Securities will keep its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. Also, three members of Wachovia’s board will join Wells Fargo’s board.

The Wachovia-Wells Fargo merger comes after a month of extreme turbulence on Wall Street that saw the demise of countless banks and shot-gun marriages of almost as many.

Amid a worsened credit crisis, the government allowed Lehman Brothers (LEH) to file for bankruptcy, gave an emergency $85 billion loan to insurer American International Group (AIG: 4.00, +0.05, +1.26%) and nationalized mortgage giants Fannie Mae (FNM: 1.56, -0.10, -6.02%) and Freddie Mac (FRE: 1.80, -0.09, -4.76%).

At the same time, Merrill Lynch (MER: 27.40, +0.70, +2.62%) sold itself to Bank of America (BAC: 36.37, -1.76, -4.61%) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM: 49.85, +0.60, +1.21%) acquired the deposits of Washington Mutual (WM: 0.16, +0.00, +0.00%) after the savings-and-loan became the nation’s largest banking failure ever.