Thankful On Thanksgiving

It is the time of year for me to reflect on things and to say that EVERYONE should do the same. Most that know me know I am not an optimistic person at all. Most of the time I stay in a negative state of mind I am always thinking the worst will happen. I find it very hard to stay positive about things. I should do this everyday of the year but on Thanksgiving I do look back and give thanks for all the great things I have in my life. I would like to list here just some of the things I am most happy for.

Mom and Dad I don't say it near enough I am so very thankful for you both and Love you both with all my heart. Thank you for all you do and thank you for putting up with me. And thank you for the unconditional love that I know is there.






Amy & Brandon,

Amy you have become such a big part of my life I would be utterly lost if it were not for you. Your insight into things, your outlook on life, Your love of God. Have all been things that have grounded me and made me think about how well I really do have.

Brandon is just unbelievable he has given me so many laughs that I can not count them all. I remember the very first time I met him and when I left Atlanta, you dropped me off at the airport. And with out asking for one Brandon reached out of the car and gave me a hug. That moment in time will be burned into my head forever. So I would like to say thank you to you both! I love you both very much.

I am thankful for life, I am thankful that my CP is not worse then it is.

I am thankful that as bad as things are right now that I still have a job and a boss / friend that is fiscally responsible enough to have seen this coming two years ago. Who put into place things that would enable our company to stay afloat in these hard times.

For the sake of time here I can not put down everything I am so very thankful for... There are countless family members. My sister Tammie her family, many cousins, many aunts, & uncles.

I am thankful for so many things on this Thanksgiving. Lets all remember at least a few things to be thankful for.

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving EVERYONE!

IT IS CHRISTMAS AND ALWAYS WILL ME TO ME!

You know the liberal mind set in this country anymore just drives me so crazy I just want to hit people that think like this.......

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Employees at Florida Gulf Coast University are protesting a campus ban on Christmas decorations in common spaces.

The Staff Advisory Council voted on Monday to send university leaders a letter explaining employees' concerns.

The university administration said employees can decorate their desks but not common areas.

It also canceled a greeting card design contest and renamed a giving tree for needy preschoolers a "giving garden."

In a memo to faculty and staff last week, President Wilson Bradshaw said public institutions "often struggle with how best to observe the season in ways that honor and respect all traditions."

I mean please give me a break...... What is wrong with decorating for Christmas?

When I read stuff like this it makes me want to not be in the Christmas mood and go out and beat someone over the head with a Christmas tree!

You People that that think like this make me sick... If I want to decorate for Christmas I damn well will and if you don't like it go live someplace else!

Hows that for a Merry Christmas wish!

HAPPY TO BE BACK BUT.......

Well I am happy to report that I have made it back from my 3 day weekend & allot of driving..... Through WV,VA,TN & KY. However I do wish I was still there.....

Note: please see this post for links to the places I went I am not going to re post them here.

I got to the Sportsman's Lodge in Byrdstown TN at about 3:00am wait......... 2:00am Central time. I had no idea I was going to be far enough west that I would be in a different time zone. So when I pulled into the hotel parking lot the clock in my car said it was 3:00am. However when I got into the room I looked at the clock there and it said it was 2:00am.

Saturday I spent the day with Amy & Brandon and met some of her family... The two big events of that day were we walked up a big hill that everyone was calling a mountain not sure what that was about. It was high but it was no mountain. Then we went to "The Dixie Cafe" in Byrdstown for dinner and they had live music there. country / bluegrass. It was a very nice time Saturday. & contrary to what Amy thought I only had issues understanding one persons "southern speak"

Then Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Cave City KY. And there we went to Mammoth Cave, as I said in my other post we went on the 41/2 hour "Grand Avenue" tour and I am happy to report I didn't fall not even one time and I made it through the whole tour with out dying. LOL

I can not believe how much energy Brandon has. The whole time he was talking talking talking asking questions. He was very interested in the whole cave thing. And more then once he asked if we were "In the world" ie. inside the earth

While we were at Mammoth Cave Amy and I both got a Nation Park Passport book..... She said this means we have to commit to going to all these National Parks so I think many of our vacations will be spent at national parks and that will be fine with me. as long as it is time with Amy and Brandon I had a great time!

Looking Forward To A Three Day Weekend

Well tomorrow (Friday) after work I am heading down I-81 through WV,VA,KY & my final stop will be. Byrdstown TN. Where I will meet up with Amy & her son Brandon & some of her other family members Saturday morning. Then on Sunday we are driving from Byrdstown TN to Cave City KY and going to Mammoth Cave National Park. There we will go on the Grand Avenue Cave Tour. After that the trip will be done cause I will be dead LOL because this "Grand Avenue Cave Tour" is 4 1/2 hours long. (Just kidding I think I am fit enough to handle a 4 1/2 walk) I hope so anyway cause I assume once your in there is no way to back out LOL. Then on Monday if I can get out of bed after our 4 hour hike in a cave I will start my drive back home and arive back home monday night.

So As you can see I have a very full weekend planned but it is well worth it and I am looking forward to the time with Amy & her son.

Houston We Have Lost A Tool Bag.......

HOUSTON — A spacewalking astronaut accidentally let go of her tool bag Tuesday after a grease gun inside it exploded, and helplessly watched as the tote and everything inside floated away.

It was one of the largest items ever to be lost by a spacewalker, and occurred during an unprecedented attempt to clean and lube a gummed-up joint on a solar panel.

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper was just starting to work on the joint when the mishap occurred.

She said her grease gun exploded, getting the dark gray stuff all over a camera and her gloves. While wiping off herself, the white, backpack-size bag slipped out of her grip, and she lost all her other tools.

"Oh, great," she mumbled.

So How would you like to be remembered in history as the astronaut that lost your tool bag in space...

Am I afraid of losing my job? Answer........ Yes!

By FOXBusiness.com

Last week the Labor Department reported the nation’s unemployment rate jumped to 6.5% in October and this morning weekly jobless claims spiked to the highest level since September 2001.

With layout headlines coming fast and furious, we want to know, are you afraid of losing your job?

So this question is from a Fox News poll.

I have to say for the first time in my life that YES I AM afraid of losing my job. There have been other times in my adult working life that things have been tight. I have been through one company closing. Also one company take over that resulted in me taking a demotion (only for a short time) However both of these times in my mind I was NEVER worried about not being able to find a job if I needed to find a new one. I have only drawn unemployment one time in my life and that was when I got laid off from a company that closed its doors. Even then however I only drew benefits for about 3 weeks and in all reality had a job lined up almost as soon as I got ditched.

This time things have changed for me...... You see this time if something happens and the doors close. No one is hiring I have no prospects lined up and everyone I know in my industry is struggling to make payroll. Even some of your big "chain repair stores" Are in trouble.

My boss who has been my boss as well as a good friend for the last ten years is a very wise businessman. We (because of our close relationship) talk almost daily about where our company is and what kind of shape things are in. So that helps keep my mind at ease some what. Don't get me wrong we are in NO danger of closing at this point.

With that said we are fast approaching a 30% loss over last years sales. I predict that by the close of this year (Dec. 31st) we will be down an unheard of 40% in sales over last year.

And for the first time in my life I have no place to go if something happens. So to answer the question one more time...... YES I AM SCARED!

Life At The Bates Motel

So the guys at work and most of my friends call this the Bates Motel out of the movie Psycho Those of you reading that don't know I live on the top floor of this place I basically have my own apartment. And my mother and father have the bottom two floors.

Well with the north eastern winter coming it is critical that the heating systems in this old house be working in top shape. So we have a service contract with a local HVAC company and they come out twice a year to do "PM" Preventive Maintenance and catch any issues before they happen. Well that's the idea anyway.

So now the story. The service company came to do the "PM" work (note everything was working fine before they got there) There are two furnaces that need to be checked one for the first floor and one for the second and third floors they use natural gas. Anyway I got home last night and went up to my apartment and it was COLD! the fan was running on the furnace and no heat was coming out.

Long story short Dad and I went into the furnace room there was no flame. I turned the unit off & pulled the cover off the furnace and started looking around......... And found that the"igniter" was unplugged. ??? I plugged that back in and turned the unit back on and the igniter lit up and went back out and still nothing no flame...... So flip the switch back off and look around a bit more....... Dad saw that the gas valve in the unit was turned off!?!? So we turned that back on and turned the unit back on and bingo we had flame and heat!

Between myself (when I had my own place) & my mother and father we have been using this company for TEN years. I hope this was an honest mistake on the part of the service tech. As tough as times are it makes you think sometimes. What if we did not have the knowledge to look at the furnace our self. Would they have charged for another service call? Just something to think about.

Ten Reasons Not To Buy A New Computer

I found this blog post this morning I am not sure when the writer posted it but I thought it was a good read.

It’s Christmastime again, and that wasn’t my decision — the department store across from my office already has Christmas decorations on it. Since corporations are willing to dedicate two months out of the year to taking your money, I feel it’s time I remind you that a new computer should not be on your shopping list.

Why? Well I’m glad you asked that.

1. Financial downturn. Considering how poorly the world markets are doing these days, you might do better saving all that money for something important, like food.

   Yes, it’s a sad fact that most of the American financial sector was grossly mismanaged and ridiculously inflated, and now it appears that the average consumer — worldwide — is going to suffer for it. Without deviating too far from the focus of this blog, let’s just say that by summertime, you might wish you still had that US$2000, instead of having dumped it into a new computer. I know some people think this hiccup is just that — a hiccup — and I’ll only say that I hope they’re right. For everyone’s sake.

   Regardless of your personal prognosis for the world state of economic affairs, US$2000 in your pocket is going to look a lot better than a shiny new computer on your desk, come June.

2. Financial burden. So long as we’re talking financial repercussions, most of the new computers I see in my local electronics shops are quite expensive really. Even the average, middle-market PC is easily more than US$1200, and anything with considerable power to it is going to creep quickly up to US$2000.

   Unless you’re a teenager, that’s a lot of money. (Most of the teenagers I work with have a hard time assigning real value to quantities of money.) Think of all the other things you could do with US$2000, if you were willing to scrap the idea of buying a new machine. What other improvements could you make in your life, if you don’t spend the money on a computer? What else could benefit from your financial largesse?

3. Instantaneous depreciation. And so long as we’re talking about the actual, tangible price of a new computer, remember that the instant you press the “Purchase” button, your computer is no longer worth the price you paid. New machines, upon arrival at their destination, are immediately worth about a quarter less than the buying price — sometimes as much as a third less — as soon as the tape on the box is cut.

   Why? Because there’s always something newer out there, and as soon as you take possession, your machine is used, and loses it’s value. I’m speaking from experience here, many times over. And you probably know what I’m talking about: Not even vehicles depreciate as fast as electronics.

   What’s the corollary to this statement? That buying a computer on credit is, without a doubt, the worst thing you could ever do with your money. Not only will the total payments exceed the original list price, but by the time you finish making those payments, the machine you own will be worth only a fraction of it’s price. It’s a sad moment when someone realizes their US$2000 computer is only worth about US$300 — I’ve watched those faces fall. You don’t want that to happen to you. Always pay cash for electronics. Period.

4. Environmental implications. For every new machine you buy, Mother Nature takes a hit. Now I don’t necessarily categorize myself as a tree-hugger, but you have to ask yourself, what’s happening to all these leftover computers? Where do they all go?

   Sure, some get “recycled,” in a manner of speaking. But computers have been in mass production for what, two decades? three decades? A lot longer than the computer “recycling” efforts have. And these machines are not exactly biodegradable. I owned probably a grand total of three C64’s between August 1982 and late 1990-something, as well as an SX-64 at one time. Where are they now? I mean, where are the actual metal-and-plastic husks? Probably in a landfill, or worse, carted off to a developing nation, sold as garbage and lying in a heap in the sun.

   This might not concern you either, if your sense of environmental or cultural morality isn’t attuned to it. But it should. Buying a new computer isn’t a two-year adventure in technological gimmickry, it’s a 30-year debit against the environment and your children’s environment. Check out Annie Leonard’s “The Story of Stuff,” if my argument isn’t strong enough to make you think about it.

5. Rampant materialism. Reality check: If you think you need a new computer — or for that matter, a new iPod, or a new cell phone, or a new car, or a new house, or a new wardrobe … guess what? You’re being played. Advertising and marketing aren’t just college majors, they’re exercises in human conditioning, and you’re the test subject for an entire science focused on making you buy. And Christmas is the worst time for this.

   And that “urge” you feel to pick up a newer, “faster” computer is probably — no, definitely tied to the advertisements you see, the images that are fed to you and the status that marketers and ad campaigns attach to new products. That quad-core laptop you’re drooling over, the one with the blinking LEDs and 30-inch widescreen LCD? Well, you’re drooling over it because corporations want you to drool over it. Don’t doubt that for a second.

   This isn’t anything new, and it’s not confined to the technology sector; people have been the subject of greed campaigns by their fellow humans for quite some time. Sad, but true. So stand up for yourself, shake off the psychological weight of marketing ploys, and realize that “new” does not equal “necessary.”

6. Stuff does not equal love. I know some people think a new computer is a great gift, and it in most cases it is. I will admit to having bought new computers for family members, and I don’t regret it. But Christmas is when corporations rely on your benevolence to make money, and it’s unfortunate that a soulless entity like a company can hold so much sway over what you might call affection for a loved one.

   Again, without deviating too far from the focus of this site, a new computer isn’t going to prove you love your wife or your kids or your dog any more than a hug. If you aren’t willing to take my word for it, at least listen once to the gospel according to Reverend Billy.

7. You don’t need it. In all reality, do you really need a new computer? or do you just want one, because your “old” one is “slow?”

   Chances are, it’s the latter. Most of the computers I run across — short of actual, physical damage or failure at the component level — aren’t broken, they’re just poorly tended. Most of the “problems” people have with their computers (and I’m speaking to the Windows crowd right now) can be solved with a fresh installation and a conservative software setup. Even “slow” computers often come back to life once they’re wiped, reinstalled and the personal files restored.

   Of course, if you use Linux, like me, you’re probably getting a lot more speed out of your computer than Microsoft or Intel ever anticipated you’d get. Or wanted you to get, for that matter.

8. Upgrades are cheaper. Admit it: It’s just the hard drive you want. Or a new graphics card. And even just an improvement over your existing video card is probably enough. Pick up a secondhand graphics card — take advantage of some poor sucker who bought it new — and enjoy the improvement. How much cheaper than a new laptop is a new laptop battery? The money you spend is a fraction of the cost of a new rig, and believe it or not, might even improve the value of the machine you have. Because …
9. Increasing long-range value. I already told you that the value of a computer falls like a rock as soon as you cut the tape on the box. That’s true. But what I neglected to mention was that, in the long run, a well-kept, well-tended computer will actually increase in value, sometimes to well over what it originally cost.

   Remember those Commodore 64s I mentioned? Any one of those, if it was still in good shape and if I had taken care of it, and kept it in working condition, would have fetched an amazing price on eBay. A complete system is worth even more. A system with accessories is astronomical. And that SX-64 I had, in its original box? It’s worth it’s weight in gold. (Okay, maybe not its weight — those things were heavy.)

   A decade after you buy a computer — when you can probably, legitimately think about getting a new one — you can expect the price of your machine to creep up, and up, and up. The machines I have now are all at least eight years old, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised when I check the going rates on eBay. Parted out I could easily recoup any and all of the money I put into them. As a whole, they’re worth almost as much. I expect the value to increase even further in the next few years. Not that I would part with them, of course, because …

10. Emotional attachment. After years of using them, and finding all the quirks and solving all the problems and making all the upgrades, I’m not inclined to get rid of them. I enjoy using them, and I’m quite satisfied with the way they do the job. There might come a time when a part fails, or something doesn’t work right, but my attachment to the machine makes repairing it more attractive than replacing it.

    This isn’t peculiar behavior, if you use cars as an analogy again. Think about all the automobile fanatics who polish and buff their 1973 Ford Galaxie 500s until they glow, then cruise slowly around town with a self-satisfied look on their faces. You won’t ever sell those people a new car, because they love their old ones too much.

    Believe it or not, you can become that attached to your old computer, to the point where a new one isn’t an option. You have to learn about it, learn to love it, learn to take care of it, and eventually cherish it. It’s not unreasonable to think that any possession can endear you to it. A computer shouldn’t be any different.

To borrow some famous words … and so, this is Christmas. It’s you against the marketers, the corporations, your own perceptions and misconceptions. I’m not telling you a new computer wouldn’t be fun, or exciting, or a good gift. But I am telling you that there are some solid reasons you shouldn’t dump your money into a new computer.

And if you’re one of those lucky people, and you simply must spend the money and you don’t care how, do something worthwhile with it. I, for one, will thank you.

Can Anyone Say Blow Out?

Well I just want to take a little time this morning and say congrats to President Elect Obama! On a strong win. I knew months ago that he was going to win but I had no idea it would be the land slide it was. While I don't agree with the people's choice I will be waiting and standing by to see what he has to say and do. I still hope that everything I have said about the man in the past is wrong. And I look forward to seeing what he can do over the next 4 years. But...... I will be watching you very closely Obama.

Everyone have a great day and lets all come together and stand behind out new president.

Dan

Vote Today Please......

Well the day is here. I had made a post a few days ago about how I didn't think I was going to vote because my vote would not count. Now those of you that know me should really know me better then that. I am going to vote!

Not only is it our right in this free country to vote it is our duty to educate our self and make a choice that we think will fit us best.

Now go get out there and VOTE!

God Bless America.

What Kind Of Car You Drive May or May Not Tell Us Who You Are Voting For

I found this to be interesting although people have to much time on their hands if they have to to study this crap.

Most national polls find Barack Obama holding a solid -- yet narrowing -- lead over John McCain in the final push before the election.

But a recent poll of automobile owners shows a different reality.

McCain leads Obama 47 percent to 46 percent among vehicle owners -- well within the margin of error -- according to a report published by the automotive price guide Kelley Blue Book.

The report, which appeared Monday on the McClatchy-Tribune's Web site, found that McCain is favored among owners of domestic and luxury vehicles -- like Buick, Dodge, and Ford -- while Obama leads among import owners -- like Saab and Honda.

Fifty-two percent of Lexus, BMW, and Lincoln owners, for example, prefer McCain while 61 percent of Subaru owners favor Obama, according to the McClatchy-Tribune.

The report found that heavy sales of those vehicles correlate with states where a particular candidate dominates in the polls, Kelley Blue Book's senior vice president of marketing and analytics Rick Wainschel told the Hartford Courant.

So mom and dad I guess this would explain the Volkswagen sitting in the drive way?

But wait I am the one that disproves the rule..... I drive a Honda but as of today I am still voting for Mccain. I guess that's cause if I had my choice I would still be driving a Cadillac... I miss my Cady :(

New Ubuntu 8.10 "Intrepid"

I am really kind of getting into this whole Ubuntu / Linux thing. October 31st Canonical Ltd. released a new edition of Ubuntu a Linux based OS for computers called Intrepid Ibx Ver. 8.10 for desktops. I was using the older version 8.04 Hardy Haron and was happy with that. So this weekend I took the plunge I backed up everything in my "Home Folder" And ran the update. Things did not go well with the update once it was done I had no video unless I started up in "Failsafe Mode" I gave up on trying to get the update to work and did a clean install of Ubuntu 8.10 because after all I had backed up EVERYTHING in my "Home Folder" So there was no need to worry about losing anything.

Once I did a clean install things seemed to work just fine and as a matter of fact I had to do far less playing around with things to get them to work. Video play back with 8.10 seems much better and also a sound issue I was having is gone. And after some more reading I found out if I had followed directions durning the update that the update it self would have worked fine. But you know us men we don't read direction unless we are about to break something and even then we might go ahead and break what ever it is we are working on. After all we are men who needs direcions LOL.


Everyone have a great day! & great week!

Just When I Thought My Temper Was Bad

I was looking for a different clip of Bill O'Reilly over the weekend when I came across this one that is a mix of him in different spots losing his temper. That he is known for..... I think they posted this to make him look bad but to me I look up to him just a little more. We all lose our temper myself included. I have gotten about as pissed off as he is at the start of this clip.. Thats why I got a laugh out of it. **Note you may not want to play this at work & for sure don't want to play it in front of kids. He drops the "F" bomb a few times LOL

Way to go Bill tell it like it is!