Look through the annals of history and you will find many great and or powerful figures. Alexander the great, Gandhi, Muhammad, Columbus, Washington, Martin Luther, Napoleon, Constantine, Nero, Ramses, Moses, Noah, and so forth. The list goes on and on. Each of them has had a significant impact in the lives of those they came in contact with and for future generations.
But I have to agree with Reynold Price from Time Magazine when he writes "It would require much exotic calculation... to deny that the single most powerful figure-not merely in these two millenniums, but in all human history- has been Jesus of Nazareth"
Even our calendar is based upon his birth. His life and death continue to impact generation after generation. Wars have been fought in his name. The Power of his name is claimed by millions to heal, to save, to bring life, to bring joy. 167 years after Rome crucified him they worshiped him as a nation. The worlds most popular religions embrace him as an educator and teacher and some as God.
This one man, whatever you think of him, has influenced your life. You may love him, hate him, not believe in him, worship him as God, or just not care about him. But you can't escape his continuing influence in the world of man.
What did Jesus do that was so great? James Francis summarized his life.
"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.
He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He had no credentials but Himself.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying -- and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life. "
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Merry Christmas...... and stuff...
Christmas is almost here. But I seem to be missing that "Holiday Spirit". We decided to refrain from buying anyone but the kids gifts. We have no room for a tree, so we bought a Rosemary bush (thanks to the Seniors for that idea). I like it, but everyone else thinks it's too small.
But beyond that, I haven't got into the Christmas music. We've no place to hang stockings this year. I haven't gone shopping for anything yet. I haven't even gone out to look at lights yet.
Why? I think I'm a bit put off by the commercialization of it all. Denny's had up "Merry Christmas" signs in mid November. You here all about Santa Clause and Frosty and Rudolph and Charlie Brown's Christmas (though they do read the Christmas Story). Trees and decorations galore.
Or I get funny looks when I tell people I don't lie to my kids about Santa Clause. I guess I'm just tired of everyone celebrating "Christmas" but not Christ.
There is a reason for Christmas. We get so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget about Christ. We forget to celebrate God. We forget this is about the birth of the Savior of the world. That little fact has become an afterthought. "Oh yeah, and that Christ fellow. What did he do again?"
Well Merry Christmas to you all. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Now and always may he keep you blameless till he comes again.
But beyond that, I haven't got into the Christmas music. We've no place to hang stockings this year. I haven't gone shopping for anything yet. I haven't even gone out to look at lights yet.
Why? I think I'm a bit put off by the commercialization of it all. Denny's had up "Merry Christmas" signs in mid November. You here all about Santa Clause and Frosty and Rudolph and Charlie Brown's Christmas (though they do read the Christmas Story). Trees and decorations galore.
Or I get funny looks when I tell people I don't lie to my kids about Santa Clause. I guess I'm just tired of everyone celebrating "Christmas" but not Christ.
There is a reason for Christmas. We get so wrapped up in Christmas that we forget about Christ. We forget to celebrate God. We forget this is about the birth of the Savior of the world. That little fact has become an afterthought. "Oh yeah, and that Christ fellow. What did he do again?"
Well Merry Christmas to you all. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Now and always may he keep you blameless till he comes again.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
19 children... oh my....!
The Duggard's have just brought into this world a 19th child. This phenomenon has inspired news, reality shows, and gawking. Many are amazed, some are horrified. "It's not right to bring that many children under one roof" "it irresponsible" "how can they afford it".
In a world where condoms, chemical suppression and sometimes murder of unborn, and medical doctors deliberately killing of the unborn, I guess surprise at a family who adheres to God's command of "be fruitful and multiply" should be expected. It has become 'wrong' to have a big family.
Now I am a father of three. I tell you, they are a handful. Discipline and order are seemingly unattainable states in my house. I can't fathom trying to maintain the order with 6 times as many. Yet I myself came from a family of 7 kids. We had our issues, but the food was still cooked, the house was still cleaned and we all had beds to sleep in.
My grandfather was one of seventeen. No one was knocking at his parents door in amazement. This was "normal". Families had children. Sometimes the children died. Sometimes the mother died. Sometimes hardships were faced. Not enough food, large families under one small roof, ect. Hardships that today would be considered "abuse" brought families together. Struggles brought self-reliance and family reliance. Life happened and no one was amazed.
God says Children are a Blessing. That blessing doesn't stop at one or two, but continues on even if you have 21 or 22. God gives praise to a family "whose quiver is full". I've read God's Word numerous times in my life. Never have I seen anywhere God saying "you shouldn't have any more children". In fact quite the opposite. Numerous stories of women bearing children in "old age".
Children are a blessing no matter the age of the parent. Many children bring many blessings. Yes, there is hardship, yes raising children is a difficult task, yes it requires large sacrifice on the part of the parents. I will admit to days I'd like to throw the whole lot of my kids out the window. But God's plan is perfect. The blessing I will receive throughout my life because my children far out weigh the immediate concerns of hardship and frustration.
Thank God, He has blessed me with a family. May I do well for the quiver of Children He has given me. And never look upon those who choose to obey God's command as "strange" or "irresponsible", but blessed by God. For every child is a gift from God to you the parent.
In a world where condoms, chemical suppression and sometimes murder of unborn, and medical doctors deliberately killing of the unborn, I guess surprise at a family who adheres to God's command of "be fruitful and multiply" should be expected. It has become 'wrong' to have a big family.
Now I am a father of three. I tell you, they are a handful. Discipline and order are seemingly unattainable states in my house. I can't fathom trying to maintain the order with 6 times as many. Yet I myself came from a family of 7 kids. We had our issues, but the food was still cooked, the house was still cleaned and we all had beds to sleep in.
My grandfather was one of seventeen. No one was knocking at his parents door in amazement. This was "normal". Families had children. Sometimes the children died. Sometimes the mother died. Sometimes hardships were faced. Not enough food, large families under one small roof, ect. Hardships that today would be considered "abuse" brought families together. Struggles brought self-reliance and family reliance. Life happened and no one was amazed.
God says Children are a Blessing. That blessing doesn't stop at one or two, but continues on even if you have 21 or 22. God gives praise to a family "whose quiver is full". I've read God's Word numerous times in my life. Never have I seen anywhere God saying "you shouldn't have any more children". In fact quite the opposite. Numerous stories of women bearing children in "old age".
Children are a blessing no matter the age of the parent. Many children bring many blessings. Yes, there is hardship, yes raising children is a difficult task, yes it requires large sacrifice on the part of the parents. I will admit to days I'd like to throw the whole lot of my kids out the window. But God's plan is perfect. The blessing I will receive throughout my life because my children far out weigh the immediate concerns of hardship and frustration.
Thank God, He has blessed me with a family. May I do well for the quiver of Children He has given me. And never look upon those who choose to obey God's command as "strange" or "irresponsible", but blessed by God. For every child is a gift from God to you the parent.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Selective writers block
Nothing to write. Why is it I am overwhelmed with thoughts I feel like sharing throughout the day, but when I get home and finally sit down to do some sharing, I draw a blank? That's been happening alot lately. Annoying.
Monday, November 09, 2009
So long, and thanks for the fishes
Friends are easy to make. Lifelong friends are irreplaceable.
In less than a week my oldest and best friend (outside of my marriage that is) will be moving to Maryland. God has blessed him with a job in a Christian Law firm out there.
For me this is both a joyous and sad event. Joyous in knowing how this will bless his family. Sad in knowing that there is a good chance we may never live in the same city again.
When I came back to California I was blessed with all of my childhood buddies. Soon only three of us will be left. My family is all gone. And LA becomes more of a cesspool everyday. It seems the only thing left to stay here for is the Sunshine.
Of the three remaining I will probably be the only one to leave. The other two have heavy investments in family here. But where shall I go?
I've been contemplating that thought for years. So, will it be CDA, Id; Spokane, Wa; Boulder, Co; Chesapeake, Va; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Do I have good reason to go to any of these places or to shun them? What is the best move for my family? Alas, only God really knows. All I know is that LA isn't the place to be, nor California for that matter.
Where ever I go, it will hopefully be my last big move. I think my Grandpa had it right when he settled in one place and made it his home. So I guess I better choose wisely.
I bid farewell to a lifelong friend and look forward in great anticipation to the day when I can say to California once and for all "so long, and thanks for the fishes"
In less than a week my oldest and best friend (outside of my marriage that is) will be moving to Maryland. God has blessed him with a job in a Christian Law firm out there.
For me this is both a joyous and sad event. Joyous in knowing how this will bless his family. Sad in knowing that there is a good chance we may never live in the same city again.
When I came back to California I was blessed with all of my childhood buddies. Soon only three of us will be left. My family is all gone. And LA becomes more of a cesspool everyday. It seems the only thing left to stay here for is the Sunshine.
Of the three remaining I will probably be the only one to leave. The other two have heavy investments in family here. But where shall I go?
I've been contemplating that thought for years. So, will it be CDA, Id; Spokane, Wa; Boulder, Co; Chesapeake, Va; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Do I have good reason to go to any of these places or to shun them? What is the best move for my family? Alas, only God really knows. All I know is that LA isn't the place to be, nor California for that matter.
Where ever I go, it will hopefully be my last big move. I think my Grandpa had it right when he settled in one place and made it his home. So I guess I better choose wisely.
I bid farewell to a lifelong friend and look forward in great anticipation to the day when I can say to California once and for all "so long, and thanks for the fishes"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Another year has passed!
I woke up this morning and was officially another year older. 33 years since God brought me out the womb.
This is the age the Lord was when he was killed on a cross. Thinking about his knowledge, wisdom, power, and faith at my age, I find myself lacking. He was a carpenter, he could fish, he was self sustaining. He was content to sleep where his head lay. He was a man of prayer, educated and knowledgeable. A man of strength and sacrifice. He inspired men, he confounded scholars, he challenged Rome, he faced his accusers and detractors head on. He was a only 33. Maybe it helped that his father was God.
I'm reading a biography on John Adams. At 15 he passed the Harvard Entrance Exam (which was to translate a passage into Latin) and was a full fledged lawyer by his early 20's. He studied civil law in Greek and Latin. And he was a farmer. Once again, I find myself lacking.
I've often sat with a lawyer friend of mine contemplating what we would do if/when the world as we knew it ended? We are both very intelligent men, educated, husbands and fathers. We both can do well well in a society where we make profit off of our intellect. But if we had to farm; build shelter; fish; hunt; gather; basic survival stuff, could we? What talent do you possess dear reader that will keep you alive when the supply train of instant goods is gone?
I label myself educated, but I can only speak and read one language. I don't know much about woodworking, metallurgy, carpentry, fishing, hunting, plumbing, electrical work, ect. I'm a decent general mechanic, but never had the opportunity to specialize in anything but Nuclear Power.
Most of history is a mystery to me. I've not read most of the "classic authors". I don't know law, or philosophy. I know enough science to know I don't know enough. Biology, health, healing, ect, all mysteries to me. In fact I'm astounded by what I don't know. The list is long.
I have a great potential for learning and understanding. But I seem to have a great void when it comes to the practical application. This thought disturbs me. Can I support and my family on the potential of my mind? Can a non-craftsman survive?
At the same time I look at the world around me and realize I am better educated than most. I am often looked at as a leader, creative thinker, hard worker, ect. Are these qualities that will help me feed my family in the years to come? Will the world still be willing to pay me for my mind, for my ability to organize and plan?
I often feel like the man behind the curtain.
There is no question that I'm a capable man, the question is, what am I capable of?
Boy, I think too much.
This is the age the Lord was when he was killed on a cross. Thinking about his knowledge, wisdom, power, and faith at my age, I find myself lacking. He was a carpenter, he could fish, he was self sustaining. He was content to sleep where his head lay. He was a man of prayer, educated and knowledgeable. A man of strength and sacrifice. He inspired men, he confounded scholars, he challenged Rome, he faced his accusers and detractors head on. He was a only 33. Maybe it helped that his father was God.
I'm reading a biography on John Adams. At 15 he passed the Harvard Entrance Exam (which was to translate a passage into Latin) and was a full fledged lawyer by his early 20's. He studied civil law in Greek and Latin. And he was a farmer. Once again, I find myself lacking.
I've often sat with a lawyer friend of mine contemplating what we would do if/when the world as we knew it ended? We are both very intelligent men, educated, husbands and fathers. We both can do well well in a society where we make profit off of our intellect. But if we had to farm; build shelter; fish; hunt; gather; basic survival stuff, could we? What talent do you possess dear reader that will keep you alive when the supply train of instant goods is gone?
I label myself educated, but I can only speak and read one language. I don't know much about woodworking, metallurgy, carpentry, fishing, hunting, plumbing, electrical work, ect. I'm a decent general mechanic, but never had the opportunity to specialize in anything but Nuclear Power.
Most of history is a mystery to me. I've not read most of the "classic authors". I don't know law, or philosophy. I know enough science to know I don't know enough. Biology, health, healing, ect, all mysteries to me. In fact I'm astounded by what I don't know. The list is long.
I have a great potential for learning and understanding. But I seem to have a great void when it comes to the practical application. This thought disturbs me. Can I support and my family on the potential of my mind? Can a non-craftsman survive?
At the same time I look at the world around me and realize I am better educated than most. I am often looked at as a leader, creative thinker, hard worker, ect. Are these qualities that will help me feed my family in the years to come? Will the world still be willing to pay me for my mind, for my ability to organize and plan?
I often feel like the man behind the curtain.
There is no question that I'm a capable man, the question is, what am I capable of?
Boy, I think too much.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The 30 Day Challenge!
I just read an article about a man who, as an experiment, completed a challenge I'm not sure I'm up for. He voluntarily agreed to do whatever his wife asked for 30 days.
He discovered some interesting facts in the month. A lesson we all should learn, is that it's not the big gestures that matter, but the accumulation of small gestures. He learned the "river of minor grievances" his wife has against him. He learned that both he and his wife were full of "sass" at that it was much better to fill their banter with niceness.
I don't think I'm ready for this challenge. But it did get me thinking. We are called to love our brides as Christ loved the church. It's a hard calling. Christ sacrificed much for his church. He was always giving. Never taking. He was a servant and he called us to be servants. How many of us husbands serve our wives? I'm not saying be submissive robots, like this challenge, but servants. Do we even know what that means? Do we know our wives needs? Do we know her "minor grievances"? Do we treat her with "sass" like she's a drinking buddy?
Next week my Pastor begins a 4 week class on marriage. I've been listening to his advice on Marriage longer than I've been married. I keep coming back because I always learn more. And I'll most assuredly go away with a fresh reminder of the challenge before me and my failings as a husband. My wife will assuredly walk away with the same. It's good to be reminded that we're not perfect. It's good to be reminded that our spouse is not perfect. It is an unreasonable expectation that your spouse be perfect.
As a wise man (my pastor) once told me, "Marriage isn't a 50-50 proposition, it's a 100-100 proposition". You have to give your 100% and you have to do so even when your spouse is giving 10%. Too often we think "I'll start giving, when he/she starts giving". Marriage isn't a give-take agreement. If you don't give unconditionally, you will fail. If you wait until your spouse starts "giving" you will never start.
Choose to full fill your wedding vows regardless of your spouse. The second you make your fulfillment of your vow conditional on your spouses fulfilment of their vow, you begin the road to failure.
He discovered some interesting facts in the month. A lesson we all should learn, is that it's not the big gestures that matter, but the accumulation of small gestures. He learned the "river of minor grievances" his wife has against him. He learned that both he and his wife were full of "sass" at that it was much better to fill their banter with niceness.
I don't think I'm ready for this challenge. But it did get me thinking. We are called to love our brides as Christ loved the church. It's a hard calling. Christ sacrificed much for his church. He was always giving. Never taking. He was a servant and he called us to be servants. How many of us husbands serve our wives? I'm not saying be submissive robots, like this challenge, but servants. Do we even know what that means? Do we know our wives needs? Do we know her "minor grievances"? Do we treat her with "sass" like she's a drinking buddy?
Next week my Pastor begins a 4 week class on marriage. I've been listening to his advice on Marriage longer than I've been married. I keep coming back because I always learn more. And I'll most assuredly go away with a fresh reminder of the challenge before me and my failings as a husband. My wife will assuredly walk away with the same. It's good to be reminded that we're not perfect. It's good to be reminded that our spouse is not perfect. It is an unreasonable expectation that your spouse be perfect.
As a wise man (my pastor) once told me, "Marriage isn't a 50-50 proposition, it's a 100-100 proposition". You have to give your 100% and you have to do so even when your spouse is giving 10%. Too often we think "I'll start giving, when he/she starts giving". Marriage isn't a give-take agreement. If you don't give unconditionally, you will fail. If you wait until your spouse starts "giving" you will never start.
Choose to full fill your wedding vows regardless of your spouse. The second you make your fulfillment of your vow conditional on your spouses fulfilment of their vow, you begin the road to failure.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Public School from the eyes of a schoolteacher
I have often been criticized for homeschooling my children. They need "socialization". They need "trained" teachers. They need.. well whatever it is they "need" apparently my wife and I as parents, one a college graduate, one trained in Nuclear Power, seem not capable or qualified to give our kids.
I guess that begs the question, what makes one qualified to teach children? Below is a book written by a schoolteacher. I wouldn't ask you to read the whole thing, but read the Prologue. You might find it interesting to see what someone who spent 50+ years in the public school system has to say.
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue.htm
I seriously doubt I will ever regret my decision to home school. The only thing I lose is the benefit of a two income family. What my children and my wife gain is worth far more than money.
I guess that begs the question, what makes one qualified to teach children? Below is a book written by a schoolteacher. I wouldn't ask you to read the whole thing, but read the Prologue. You might find it interesting to see what someone who spent 50+ years in the public school system has to say.
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/prologue.htm
I seriously doubt I will ever regret my decision to home school. The only thing I lose is the benefit of a two income family. What my children and my wife gain is worth far more than money.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What's a man got to do to get arrested these days?
Went shopping today. In front of the store was a black and white just parked in the red zone like he owned the joint. So me being me I decided to look inside and see what cop cars look like these days.
High tech. Camera on the front and rear dash. Two more cameras on top pointing left and right. No shotgun as the cars of old days. No a more lethal weapon in the middle of the car: a computer. The pile of junk in the passenger seat told me he drove solo and was a slob.
After my curiosity was satisfied I proceeded on my way to go shopping. Shortly thereafter the owner of the car approached me. "I've got a witness that you tried to break into my car".
Me: No, I was looking at your car which was paid for with my tax dollars.
Cop: Did you try to open the door?
Me: Why would I try to open the door?
Cop: Did you?
Me: NO!
Cop: So if I fingerprint the door handle your prints won't be on them?
Me: No, and since when is it a crime to look at a car?
Cop: it isn't but tampering with a police vehicle is..
Me: Well than it's a good thing I was only looking than...
Cop: Would you have entered the car if the door was open?
Me: No, it's not my car, and since the door was closed the question is irrelevant
He continued to insist I had tried to break into his car. "So are you calling my witness a liar"
Me: I can't speak for your witness, I've told you what I did. It's up to you to decide who's lying.
He asked me such brilliant questions as
"What are you doing here?"
Me: Uh, I thought the shopping car full of groceries kind of gave me away, but since you asked, I'M SHOPPING!
In retrospect I'm lucky he didn't arrest me just for the hell of it. I was certainly spinning him up. I think he was hoping to arrest the Son of a Bitch who dared to touch his car. Or maybe he was just hoping to intimidate me. It certainly pissed him off that I dared stand toe to toe with him and make fun of his silly questions.
He kept up this agressively rude tone that no normal human talks in. I think he thought it made him sound menacing.
Alas he finally walked away clearly perterbed at me. I'm sure he's at home talking about the smug SOB in the supermarket.
Just another fine example of our tax dollars at work!
High tech. Camera on the front and rear dash. Two more cameras on top pointing left and right. No shotgun as the cars of old days. No a more lethal weapon in the middle of the car: a computer. The pile of junk in the passenger seat told me he drove solo and was a slob.
After my curiosity was satisfied I proceeded on my way to go shopping. Shortly thereafter the owner of the car approached me. "I've got a witness that you tried to break into my car".
Me: No, I was looking at your car which was paid for with my tax dollars.
Cop: Did you try to open the door?
Me: Why would I try to open the door?
Cop: Did you?
Me: NO!
Cop: So if I fingerprint the door handle your prints won't be on them?
Me: No, and since when is it a crime to look at a car?
Cop: it isn't but tampering with a police vehicle is..
Me: Well than it's a good thing I was only looking than...
Cop: Would you have entered the car if the door was open?
Me: No, it's not my car, and since the door was closed the question is irrelevant
He continued to insist I had tried to break into his car. "So are you calling my witness a liar"
Me: I can't speak for your witness, I've told you what I did. It's up to you to decide who's lying.
He asked me such brilliant questions as
"What are you doing here?"
Me: Uh, I thought the shopping car full of groceries kind of gave me away, but since you asked, I'M SHOPPING!
In retrospect I'm lucky he didn't arrest me just for the hell of it. I was certainly spinning him up. I think he was hoping to arrest the Son of a Bitch who dared to touch his car. Or maybe he was just hoping to intimidate me. It certainly pissed him off that I dared stand toe to toe with him and make fun of his silly questions.
He kept up this agressively rude tone that no normal human talks in. I think he thought it made him sound menacing.
Alas he finally walked away clearly perterbed at me. I'm sure he's at home talking about the smug SOB in the supermarket.
Just another fine example of our tax dollars at work!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Obama's biggest fan is PO'd
Apparently the cash for your junk car program has spun up even the most devout Obama fans. A friend of mine who regularly touts "Obama and me, we're gonna fix everything" is now on the list of Americans the Prez has pissed off.
I told him today, "You're probably the only American on the planet Obama hasn't pissed off yet." He proceeded to correct me. Apparently he's been trying to buy a car under the "we'll give you tax payer dollars for your junk car program". He's realized not only is it a scam, but that it is driving up the price of cars to an outrageous level. It has created a car bubble, to replace the housing bubble. Car dealers are loving it. "That's your man" I told him.
But even the car dealers know they have to milk it while they can. As one of them stated, "the bubble will burst and this well will dry up quickly".
So car buyers beware. There is no negotiating prices. No discounts. The dealers figure the gov't check is all the discount you need. They'll turn you away because they know the next sucker is right behind you waiting to get his gov't handout.
Be smart, keep your old clunker till the bubble bursts and the price of vehicles drops like a rock (kinda like the housing bubble). Then go shopping with the car dealers who will be begging for your business. Because today's dealers will just laugh you out the door if you try to negotiate.
I told him today, "You're probably the only American on the planet Obama hasn't pissed off yet." He proceeded to correct me. Apparently he's been trying to buy a car under the "we'll give you tax payer dollars for your junk car program". He's realized not only is it a scam, but that it is driving up the price of cars to an outrageous level. It has created a car bubble, to replace the housing bubble. Car dealers are loving it. "That's your man" I told him.
But even the car dealers know they have to milk it while they can. As one of them stated, "the bubble will burst and this well will dry up quickly".
So car buyers beware. There is no negotiating prices. No discounts. The dealers figure the gov't check is all the discount you need. They'll turn you away because they know the next sucker is right behind you waiting to get his gov't handout.
Be smart, keep your old clunker till the bubble bursts and the price of vehicles drops like a rock (kinda like the housing bubble). Then go shopping with the car dealers who will be begging for your business. Because today's dealers will just laugh you out the door if you try to negotiate.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Eternity
Have you ever tried to think about eternity? I've tried. I can't truly fathom it. Just trying to comprehend it is scary.
Trying to imagine eternity in Hell is even worse. Remember your worst week. Remember how long that week seemed at the time. Now imagine it lasting forever. No end in sight ever. No light at the end of the tunnel.
But even when you take hell out of the picture, eternity is daunting. My short life here seems so long. What do you do in eternity? Time with no end.
The Bible says men used to live to be 800 and 900 years old. Even that is hard to imagine. Imagine living through the entire history of America. Movies like highlander have tried to capture that concept.
I know my life on this earth will eventually end. And then I'll be faced with eternity. I guess I'm just not ready to contemplate and accept what that truly means. It's hard enough dealing with the hear and now, without having to face never ending existence.
Trying to imagine eternity in Hell is even worse. Remember your worst week. Remember how long that week seemed at the time. Now imagine it lasting forever. No end in sight ever. No light at the end of the tunnel.
But even when you take hell out of the picture, eternity is daunting. My short life here seems so long. What do you do in eternity? Time with no end.
The Bible says men used to live to be 800 and 900 years old. Even that is hard to imagine. Imagine living through the entire history of America. Movies like highlander have tried to capture that concept.
I know my life on this earth will eventually end. And then I'll be faced with eternity. I guess I'm just not ready to contemplate and accept what that truly means. It's hard enough dealing with the hear and now, without having to face never ending existence.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Light at the end of the tunnel
Finacial freedom is around the corner. At least for me and my family. After years of struggle and debt I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, if all goes well, that light could be upon me as soon as October (if the planets are aligned and the world is in harmony).
It occurs to me that I've spent so much time focusing how to recover from debt that I never learned how to invest. And in todays economy, not sure it's time to take chances.
So what will I do with my newfound wealth? First and foremost SAVE. Need to build up that safety net. And start catching up on my retirement fund.
But there are a few items on my list of wants that would aid in making my life and the life of my family a bit more comfortable.
So I look with great joy at the end of my burden to debt. Hopefully I've learned enough to keep from ever being put under the oppression of owing someone else.
It occurs to me that I've spent so much time focusing how to recover from debt that I never learned how to invest. And in todays economy, not sure it's time to take chances.
So what will I do with my newfound wealth? First and foremost SAVE. Need to build up that safety net. And start catching up on my retirement fund.
But there are a few items on my list of wants that would aid in making my life and the life of my family a bit more comfortable.
So I look with great joy at the end of my burden to debt. Hopefully I've learned enough to keep from ever being put under the oppression of owing someone else.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Raging Waters reveals the state of the union
Took the family to Raging Waters. Had a family from church join us. We all had a great time.
However a water park has a way of revealing character. Some observation made by my spouse and I while people watching.
Asian females wore very conservative simple bathing suits
Anglo and Hispanic/Latina women all wore two piece bikinis that cover next to nothing, except for the heavier women who wear very conservative outfits
Black Women only wear bathing suits they fall out of no matter their size.
Black Men all were wearing their shorts around their knees with their boxers showing.
All other men wear your typical swim shorts
I guess I'm a little surprised. I expected the ratio of skimpy to conservative to be more balanced. It seems nobody wears one piece bathing suits unless they are overweight or Asian. And all men but blacks get the concept of swimming shorts. And black women have no worries about their image.
Tattoo's were everywhere. I remember when tattoo's were a rare thing. Now it seems you are the odd man or woman out if you don't have a tattoo.
Maybe I'm just getting old. I remember when the bikini was a rare thing. Women had self respect and covered up in a typical usually colorful one piece. Men all wore your basic swim shorts. Tattoos were for the truly rebellious.
Maybe it's the Dad in me thinking about my two boys and my girl. Will they want to cover their bodies in tattoo's? Will my daughter think it ok to walk around in dental floss bathing suits? Will they get into the body mutilation practices of this generation (ear holes, nose holes, other holes I won't mention here)?
I asked my pastor recently, how in today's world of sin and temptation, do you protect yourself and your children from the flood of bad stuff? There is no short answer. A whole book could be written on it. But since he's not writing a book he'll see what he can do about good advice as he goes through the ten commandments this year.
I just realized I have no closing thoughts... The state of this generation leaves me saddened and worried... This is our future... This is my children's future.. what does the future hold for them? What about my grandchildren?
Guess I'll just have to trust in the Grace of God and his promise to bless generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
However a water park has a way of revealing character. Some observation made by my spouse and I while people watching.
Asian females wore very conservative simple bathing suits
Anglo and Hispanic/Latina women all wore two piece bikinis that cover next to nothing, except for the heavier women who wear very conservative outfits
Black Women only wear bathing suits they fall out of no matter their size.
Black Men all were wearing their shorts around their knees with their boxers showing.
All other men wear your typical swim shorts
I guess I'm a little surprised. I expected the ratio of skimpy to conservative to be more balanced. It seems nobody wears one piece bathing suits unless they are overweight or Asian. And all men but blacks get the concept of swimming shorts. And black women have no worries about their image.
Tattoo's were everywhere. I remember when tattoo's were a rare thing. Now it seems you are the odd man or woman out if you don't have a tattoo.
Maybe I'm just getting old. I remember when the bikini was a rare thing. Women had self respect and covered up in a typical usually colorful one piece. Men all wore your basic swim shorts. Tattoos were for the truly rebellious.
Maybe it's the Dad in me thinking about my two boys and my girl. Will they want to cover their bodies in tattoo's? Will my daughter think it ok to walk around in dental floss bathing suits? Will they get into the body mutilation practices of this generation (ear holes, nose holes, other holes I won't mention here)?
I asked my pastor recently, how in today's world of sin and temptation, do you protect yourself and your children from the flood of bad stuff? There is no short answer. A whole book could be written on it. But since he's not writing a book he'll see what he can do about good advice as he goes through the ten commandments this year.
I just realized I have no closing thoughts... The state of this generation leaves me saddened and worried... This is our future... This is my children's future.. what does the future hold for them? What about my grandchildren?
Guess I'll just have to trust in the Grace of God and his promise to bless generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
100 Push Up Challenge
I've been a civilian for a long time now. For the first few years I was quite active and maintained relatively good shape. Lugging around a 25 pound bag of tools 8 hours a day will do that.
But these last few years, I've been strapped to a desk. And while mentally it is more tiring than a 25lb bag could ever be, I miss the physical work out and endurance.
Now when I was in the Navy I did pretty well for myself with just push-ups and pull-ups. Not much else to do when you are standing watch at the bottom of an air craft carrier. So when I ran across this:
http://hundredpushups.com/
it caught my eye.
I did the initial test and pulled off 21 push ups. Not bad for a guy who hasn't worked out in a few years. So, we'll see how I do. 6 weeks to 100 push ups. At my best I don't think I ever did more than fifty (not that I tried). I'll get back to you in about 6 weeks.
If this works, the next step is to take up biking again.
But these last few years, I've been strapped to a desk. And while mentally it is more tiring than a 25lb bag could ever be, I miss the physical work out and endurance.
Now when I was in the Navy I did pretty well for myself with just push-ups and pull-ups. Not much else to do when you are standing watch at the bottom of an air craft carrier. So when I ran across this:
http://hundredpushups.com/
it caught my eye.
I did the initial test and pulled off 21 push ups. Not bad for a guy who hasn't worked out in a few years. So, we'll see how I do. 6 weeks to 100 push ups. At my best I don't think I ever did more than fifty (not that I tried). I'll get back to you in about 6 weeks.
If this works, the next step is to take up biking again.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Where did all these holidays come from?
I was looking at my calendar today counting holidays. America has way too many meaningless holidays.
Presidents day;
Labor day;
Thanksgiving;
Valentines Day;
Mothers day;
Fathers day;
Memorial day;
Halloween;
Christmas;
and Easter;
(there's more, but I'll spare you the rest)
Now I know what some readers are saying. "These are important holidays. What kind of feeling less wretch are you?"
Really? lets go down the list.
President's Day: first, who decided that Washington and Lincoln were the greatest things since Swiss cheese. Washington was an important man, but he made many mistakes (like signing a treaty written in French, which he didn't understand), and Lincoln, well.. if you believe the history books he is the greatest thing since Swiss cheese.
Labor Day: To this day I have no idea what labor day is about
Thanksgiving: is this not what we are supposed to do at every meal. why do I need a special holiday to thank God for what he gives me. This should be every day, every hour.
Valentines Day: OK, if you need a holiday to tell you to send your girl some flowers or tell her you love her, than you need more than a holiday, you need to rethink your relationship.
Mothers Day: how can I possibly be against Mothers day? well if you need a holiday to call your mother and tell her you love her, than you don't need a holiday, you need to start calling your mother on a regular basis and mending the relationship. Same thing for Fathers day.
These holidays actually ensure the important people in your life get less noticed. How you say? Well since we have 'Holidays' we don't need to put forth our own effort to decide when to call Mom and say hi, or call Dad, or tell the wife how much she means to you. We have holidays for that. isn't it great.
Moving on
Memorial Day: I'm a Navy Vet and I certainly have an appreciation for the men who have died in the military. And if Memorial day was actually about remembering and honoring our fallen sons, fathers, husbands and such, it might be worthy of a holiday, but it isn't. It's a facade put on by people who don't give a rats ass about our boys who have died. Because if they did give a rats ass about our sons they would stop sending them to die in meaningless wars. It looks good on TV though.
Halloween: Hmmm... Reformation Day has long been forgotten but for some reason we have no problem with ghosts, gobblins and more sugar than a kid needs in a lifetime all in one night.
Christmas and Easter: Santa Clause and the Easter bunny. Perfectly good reasons to lie to your children. I'm certainly not against remember Christ's birth or his resurrection. It's the facade of celebrating a bunny and a jolly old man which make these holidays absurd.
In short, the majority of American holidays are nothing more than commercialized obligations, and if you don't participate, your are scrooge, unpatriotic, your dad disowns you, your mom hates you, and your wife won't touch you with a ten foot pole.
On a brighter note, all the money we spend on these holidays boosts the economy.
Presidents day;
Labor day;
Thanksgiving;
Valentines Day;
Mothers day;
Fathers day;
Memorial day;
Halloween;
Christmas;
and Easter;
(there's more, but I'll spare you the rest)
Now I know what some readers are saying. "These are important holidays. What kind of feeling less wretch are you?"
Really? lets go down the list.
President's Day: first, who decided that Washington and Lincoln were the greatest things since Swiss cheese. Washington was an important man, but he made many mistakes (like signing a treaty written in French, which he didn't understand), and Lincoln, well.. if you believe the history books he is the greatest thing since Swiss cheese.
Labor Day: To this day I have no idea what labor day is about
Thanksgiving: is this not what we are supposed to do at every meal. why do I need a special holiday to thank God for what he gives me. This should be every day, every hour.
Valentines Day: OK, if you need a holiday to tell you to send your girl some flowers or tell her you love her, than you need more than a holiday, you need to rethink your relationship.
Mothers Day: how can I possibly be against Mothers day? well if you need a holiday to call your mother and tell her you love her, than you don't need a holiday, you need to start calling your mother on a regular basis and mending the relationship. Same thing for Fathers day.
These holidays actually ensure the important people in your life get less noticed. How you say? Well since we have 'Holidays' we don't need to put forth our own effort to decide when to call Mom and say hi, or call Dad, or tell the wife how much she means to you. We have holidays for that. isn't it great.
Moving on
Memorial Day: I'm a Navy Vet and I certainly have an appreciation for the men who have died in the military. And if Memorial day was actually about remembering and honoring our fallen sons, fathers, husbands and such, it might be worthy of a holiday, but it isn't. It's a facade put on by people who don't give a rats ass about our boys who have died. Because if they did give a rats ass about our sons they would stop sending them to die in meaningless wars. It looks good on TV though.
Halloween: Hmmm... Reformation Day has long been forgotten but for some reason we have no problem with ghosts, gobblins and more sugar than a kid needs in a lifetime all in one night.
Christmas and Easter: Santa Clause and the Easter bunny. Perfectly good reasons to lie to your children. I'm certainly not against remember Christ's birth or his resurrection. It's the facade of celebrating a bunny and a jolly old man which make these holidays absurd.
In short, the majority of American holidays are nothing more than commercialized obligations, and if you don't participate, your are scrooge, unpatriotic, your dad disowns you, your mom hates you, and your wife won't touch you with a ten foot pole.
On a brighter note, all the money we spend on these holidays boosts the economy.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Women and War
As a young man I joined the Navy. I served amongst equally naive men and women as we travelled where we were told, did our 'duty' and came home.
I remember one particular day we were scheduled to pull into port in Bahrain (in the Persian Gulf). We didn't pull in however because instead we bombed Iraq. Later that day watching the Iraqi news, it was clear why we were there. The dead bodies and bloody messes were clear to see. We are a War machine and we are there to bring death to the enemy.
Today I was watching a USO show from Baghdad and seeing the young men and women got me thinking.
As a husband one of my duties is to keep my family from harm. When there is a strange noise in the house, I don't send my wife to investigate. I go check it out and make sure it's safe. It's not that my wife needs me to do this, but that is the role God has given me. I accepted the role of her protector the moment her father gave her away.
So if I wouldn't send me wife to investigate strange noises in my home, why would I send my daughter to war? Now that I have a daughter I can't imagine doing anything to put her in harms way. At the same time, I expect my boys to stand on their own. From the moment my daughter was born I knew my feelings for her, were far different than for my sons. It's not something I expected or wanted, it just IS. And I'm not saying I don't expect my daughter to learn to stand on her own. But if my daughter is ever in a situation where she has to use force to protect herself, than either I have failed or her future husband has failed. And having two older brothers and me as a Dad, she will certainly learn how to defend herself. I just hope she never has to use it.
We fail as husbands and fathers when we send our daughters to war. I know this notion offends the Feminist worldview, but as a husband and a father I can take no other stand. Our nation does a great disservice to our women when we let our young ladies join the military. We are putting the burden of War on our daughters. And we look down upon anyone who dares to say this is wrong.
It's bad enough to have our young men dying and seeing others die. Why submit our women to it as well, when they are the ones we are supposed to be protecting. They are the ones we are fighting for. When did we stop protecting our daughters? When did we lose the notion that it is our job, our duty, to protect our daughters? When did it become our daughters duty to protect us?
Why will many reading this call me sexist? If acknowledging the natural and overwhelming need to protect my women makes me a sexist, so be it. It's how God made me. As a father it will be hard if I ever have to watch my sons march off to war. It will be utterly devastating if I have to watch my daughter march off to war.
Maybe it because we don't even recognize our military as a military anymore. It's just a job, a road to college, a free education. It's a good school of discipline and order. These are just technical jobs, we aren't sending them to battle.
NO! It's a military and militarises are for WAR. War is for killing. The winner of a war is he who kills best or he who can sustain the most casualties. This is not where we want our women.
Maybe it's because we don't recognize the God ordained positions of Man and Woman. I'm learning in my "old age" what it means to be a man, a husband, a father. I'm learning what it means to be a mother, a wife and a daughter. We aren't the same. We can't be the same. God made us different. As long as we continue to reject God's order our daughters will continue to be in danger and our sons will never know what it is to be men. Our daughters will fail to be mothers and wives and our sons having been supplanted by the women will fail to be husbands and fathers.
And our children's children will pay the price for our failures and our rejection of God. I pray my Boys will know what it means to be a Man and that my daughter knows what it means to be a Woman.
I remember one particular day we were scheduled to pull into port in Bahrain (in the Persian Gulf). We didn't pull in however because instead we bombed Iraq. Later that day watching the Iraqi news, it was clear why we were there. The dead bodies and bloody messes were clear to see. We are a War machine and we are there to bring death to the enemy.
Today I was watching a USO show from Baghdad and seeing the young men and women got me thinking.
As a husband one of my duties is to keep my family from harm. When there is a strange noise in the house, I don't send my wife to investigate. I go check it out and make sure it's safe. It's not that my wife needs me to do this, but that is the role God has given me. I accepted the role of her protector the moment her father gave her away.
So if I wouldn't send me wife to investigate strange noises in my home, why would I send my daughter to war? Now that I have a daughter I can't imagine doing anything to put her in harms way. At the same time, I expect my boys to stand on their own. From the moment my daughter was born I knew my feelings for her, were far different than for my sons. It's not something I expected or wanted, it just IS. And I'm not saying I don't expect my daughter to learn to stand on her own. But if my daughter is ever in a situation where she has to use force to protect herself, than either I have failed or her future husband has failed. And having two older brothers and me as a Dad, she will certainly learn how to defend herself. I just hope she never has to use it.
We fail as husbands and fathers when we send our daughters to war. I know this notion offends the Feminist worldview, but as a husband and a father I can take no other stand. Our nation does a great disservice to our women when we let our young ladies join the military. We are putting the burden of War on our daughters. And we look down upon anyone who dares to say this is wrong.
It's bad enough to have our young men dying and seeing others die. Why submit our women to it as well, when they are the ones we are supposed to be protecting. They are the ones we are fighting for. When did we stop protecting our daughters? When did we lose the notion that it is our job, our duty, to protect our daughters? When did it become our daughters duty to protect us?
Why will many reading this call me sexist? If acknowledging the natural and overwhelming need to protect my women makes me a sexist, so be it. It's how God made me. As a father it will be hard if I ever have to watch my sons march off to war. It will be utterly devastating if I have to watch my daughter march off to war.
Maybe it because we don't even recognize our military as a military anymore. It's just a job, a road to college, a free education. It's a good school of discipline and order. These are just technical jobs, we aren't sending them to battle.
NO! It's a military and militarises are for WAR. War is for killing. The winner of a war is he who kills best or he who can sustain the most casualties. This is not where we want our women.
Maybe it's because we don't recognize the God ordained positions of Man and Woman. I'm learning in my "old age" what it means to be a man, a husband, a father. I'm learning what it means to be a mother, a wife and a daughter. We aren't the same. We can't be the same. God made us different. As long as we continue to reject God's order our daughters will continue to be in danger and our sons will never know what it is to be men. Our daughters will fail to be mothers and wives and our sons having been supplanted by the women will fail to be husbands and fathers.
And our children's children will pay the price for our failures and our rejection of God. I pray my Boys will know what it means to be a Man and that my daughter knows what it means to be a Woman.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Even Russia is Bashing us
THE RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE OF AMERICA....
Note from Don Wildmon: For years I have refused to use words such as Marxism, socialism or similar words when describing our current situation. However, it is time to call a spade a spade, regardless of how those who oppose us label us. Rome is burning. The article below was written by Stanislav Mishin, a blogger and columnist for the Russian newspaper Pravda.
American capitalism gone with a whimper . . . . .
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.
Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.
First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us (Russia) about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blinds the foolish.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox (Russian Orthodox) churches are scandalously liberalized in America.
The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.
These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more than ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?
These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more then a whimper to their masters.
Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.
So it should be no surprise that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.
Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman" whimper.
So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.
The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.
The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.
Stanislav Mishin
Note from Don Wildmon: For years I have refused to use words such as Marxism, socialism or similar words when describing our current situation. However, it is time to call a spade a spade, regardless of how those who oppose us label us. Rome is burning. The article below was written by Stanislav Mishin, a blogger and columnist for the Russian newspaper Pravda.
American capitalism gone with a whimper . . . . .
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.
Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.
First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us (Russia) about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blinds the foolish.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox (Russian Orthodox) churches are scandalously liberalized in America.
The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.
These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more than ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?
These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more then a whimper to their masters.
Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.
So it should be no surprise that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.
Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman" whimper.
So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.
The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.
The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.
Stanislav Mishin
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The "Strawberry" Festival
For Memorial Day the family and I decided we would go to the Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove. My old friend NLE joined us and we had a grand old time. Lots of rides and food and places to shop and strawbe...
oh wait, there were no strawberries, save for at one booth. How do you have a strawberry festival without strawberries? I was expecting, strawberry shortcake, strawberry shakes, strawberry jam, fried strawberries, strawberries on rye, and any other weird combination you can think of.
NOPE! One booth.
I had to go to Stator Bros and buy strawberries. Go figure!
oh wait, there were no strawberries, save for at one booth. How do you have a strawberry festival without strawberries? I was expecting, strawberry shortcake, strawberry shakes, strawberry jam, fried strawberries, strawberries on rye, and any other weird combination you can think of.
NOPE! One booth.
I had to go to Stator Bros and buy strawberries. Go figure!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend. Bar-b-que's, beach days, festivals, beer, family gatherings and... oh yeah, remembering the dead.
This country has seen the death of millions of young men. Many of them in the last 100 years. Many grandfathers can tell you stories of the World Wars. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, and so on and so forth.
There are a handful of men in America who can tell you stories of friends who died; wars they fought in; son's brothers and fathers who never came home or came home forever scarred both physically and mentally.
There are many who will argue for or against the validity of this war or that war (or any war). I'm no different. But this weekend isn't about that argument, it's about remembering that our countries entire history if full of stories of young men who never came home. It's to remember those who still dedicate their young lives to our military.
So to those who served before me, to those who served with me, and to those still serving, and to those who died here is to you. The military journey is one that stays with you forever. Most start it as young men (women) naive to what they are about to undertake. None ever forget it.
So, while you are enjoying your family, your friends and your day off, remember those who died in war, and those who are risking their lives today.
We can argue over the ethics of War another day.
This country has seen the death of millions of young men. Many of them in the last 100 years. Many grandfathers can tell you stories of the World Wars. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, and so on and so forth.
There are a handful of men in America who can tell you stories of friends who died; wars they fought in; son's brothers and fathers who never came home or came home forever scarred both physically and mentally.
There are many who will argue for or against the validity of this war or that war (or any war). I'm no different. But this weekend isn't about that argument, it's about remembering that our countries entire history if full of stories of young men who never came home. It's to remember those who still dedicate their young lives to our military.
So to those who served before me, to those who served with me, and to those still serving, and to those who died here is to you. The military journey is one that stays with you forever. Most start it as young men (women) naive to what they are about to undertake. None ever forget it.
So, while you are enjoying your family, your friends and your day off, remember those who died in war, and those who are risking their lives today.
We can argue over the ethics of War another day.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
1 Year Down
This has been a good week. My daughter had her first birthday. It's amazing how fast time flies. It doesn't feel likes it's been a year. But there she is standing and crawling and babbling.
I am blessed with three kids and everyday I wonder how they got so big. I know that I will blink and they will be gone. I just hope I will have raised them well.
Two other points of celebration. 1 year down at my job as well. And of course my new Lawyer friend.
I am blessed with three kids and everyday I wonder how they got so big. I know that I will blink and they will be gone. I just hope I will have raised them well.
Two other points of celebration. 1 year down at my job as well. And of course my new Lawyer friend.
PASS - FAIL
Our society has few educational paths that end in a PASS/FAIL exam. I followed one of those paths many moons ago. It is quite the ordeal. You start knowing that you are embarking on a long, tortuous journey of study and hitting the books. In my particular path there were three schools you had to graduate from.
Test Day for the third and final school is tortuous. You have watched 2/3rds or more of you fellow student fail already. You know you have reached the final hurdle. You don't study this day. You just wait for it to begin. You step into a room with three board members. They proceed to assault you with questions. Draw this, what is this equation, how does it relate to this, why, how, when, where, what. There is no time to think and ponder, no saving that question for last, you know it or you don't. All of your efforts got you into this room standing before these men who will decide if you PASS or FAIL.
When the test is over you are sent outside and told to wait. That wait was only half an hour but it seemed like days. If you fail this test there is no retest. If you fail than you have just wasted all that time and effort.
This test I passed. I went on to find there are always more tests, though none quite like this one.
My friend BS took a similar test recently. State BAR. The test you must take to become a lawyer even though you've already graduated. It is a PASS/FAIL test. They make you wait months for your results. The good news is you can retake it if you fail. The bad news is you have to wait forever. Thursday was the day he found out if he Passed or Failed. What a day that must of been. To his credit he PASSED.
Congratulation's sir! You are now a member of an elite few. You have accomplished what only a handful of Americans ever will accomplish. No matter what you do from this point forward, you always have that. You always have the knowledge that you have succeeded where many have failed.
Enjoy your moment of success. You have earned it.
Don't worry, there will be more tests, but none of them like this one.
Test Day for the third and final school is tortuous. You have watched 2/3rds or more of you fellow student fail already. You know you have reached the final hurdle. You don't study this day. You just wait for it to begin. You step into a room with three board members. They proceed to assault you with questions. Draw this, what is this equation, how does it relate to this, why, how, when, where, what. There is no time to think and ponder, no saving that question for last, you know it or you don't. All of your efforts got you into this room standing before these men who will decide if you PASS or FAIL.
When the test is over you are sent outside and told to wait. That wait was only half an hour but it seemed like days. If you fail this test there is no retest. If you fail than you have just wasted all that time and effort.
This test I passed. I went on to find there are always more tests, though none quite like this one.
My friend BS took a similar test recently. State BAR. The test you must take to become a lawyer even though you've already graduated. It is a PASS/FAIL test. They make you wait months for your results. The good news is you can retake it if you fail. The bad news is you have to wait forever. Thursday was the day he found out if he Passed or Failed. What a day that must of been. To his credit he PASSED.
Congratulation's sir! You are now a member of an elite few. You have accomplished what only a handful of Americans ever will accomplish. No matter what you do from this point forward, you always have that. You always have the knowledge that you have succeeded where many have failed.
Enjoy your moment of success. You have earned it.
Don't worry, there will be more tests, but none of them like this one.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Hickory Smoked Salt
Growing up we had all kinds of spices in my home. Whatever you were cooking, and whatever you were looking for, you could usually find it. But my favorite spice (especially to put on beef) was Hickory Smoked Salt. It was my bar-b-que seasoning of choice, and since I was always the bar-b-que cook it's what I always used.
I haven't been able to find Hickory Smoke Salt in many years. I look every time I go to a supermarket, and find everything but. I have managed to find liquid Hickory Smoke Salt, but it's just not the same.
So today I decided to search the net for it. And walla, I find it SPICE ISLAND OLD HICKORY SMOKE SALT. Just my brand. Almost $5 a bottle and $9 to ship. Can you believe that? $9 to ship a bottle of salt.
I'm pretty desperate, but not quite that desperate. I'll keep searching. Someone else has to have it.
Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures.
I haven't been able to find Hickory Smoke Salt in many years. I look every time I go to a supermarket, and find everything but. I have managed to find liquid Hickory Smoke Salt, but it's just not the same.
So today I decided to search the net for it. And walla, I find it SPICE ISLAND OLD HICKORY SMOKE SALT. Just my brand. Almost $5 a bottle and $9 to ship. Can you believe that? $9 to ship a bottle of salt.
I'm pretty desperate, but not quite that desperate. I'll keep searching. Someone else has to have it.
Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Just something to make you smile
"There are alot of Irishman in England. They build roads, bridges, buildings and such. They come back a few years later and blow them up. Then they come back and build them again. Then they come back and blow them up. And the English haven't caught on. They think it's political. It's not. It's Job Security"
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Not so Common Sense!
http://www.cracked.com/article_17216_5-most-popular-safety-laws-that-dont-work.html
And I thought they were trying to protect me all along!
And I thought they were trying to protect me all along!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It's the end of the world as we know it!
Most people don' t know this about me, but I'm a doom and gloom guy. I contemplate worst case scenarios all the time. Such as:
-What if terrorist, an earthquake, a drought, ect took out LA's water supply
-What if the economy continues it's downward spiral to the point that a loaf of bread can't be bought with a barrel full of money (Germany post WWI)
-What if our Socialist gov't grows into Russia (1980's)
It could go on, but these scenarios all lead to one question. How do you survive when the luxuries of modern existence are no longer an option? Up to this point I can say I'm wholly unprepared for such an event. I wouldn't fare better than they guy next door. I have no reserve food supply, no water, no idea how to maintain a live able temp in my home, no emergency plan.
You would think someone who spends so much time contemplating his own demise would have a plan. I've spent so much time in survival mode that preparation mode never seems to get here. I'm getting closer to preparation mode as I watch our economy continue to crash. Is it too late, or is there still time.
http://www.codylundin.com/
This is the man with the answers. And he's been nice enough to write a book on urban survival. BTW, I'd love to have his house.
Maybe like the many doom and gloomers before me, I'm fretting over a hypothetical that will never happen in my lifetime. But then again, maybe not.
-What if terrorist, an earthquake, a drought, ect took out LA's water supply
-What if the economy continues it's downward spiral to the point that a loaf of bread can't be bought with a barrel full of money (Germany post WWI)
-What if our Socialist gov't grows into Russia (1980's)
It could go on, but these scenarios all lead to one question. How do you survive when the luxuries of modern existence are no longer an option? Up to this point I can say I'm wholly unprepared for such an event. I wouldn't fare better than they guy next door. I have no reserve food supply, no water, no idea how to maintain a live able temp in my home, no emergency plan.
You would think someone who spends so much time contemplating his own demise would have a plan. I've spent so much time in survival mode that preparation mode never seems to get here. I'm getting closer to preparation mode as I watch our economy continue to crash. Is it too late, or is there still time.
http://www.codylundin.com/
This is the man with the answers. And he's been nice enough to write a book on urban survival. BTW, I'd love to have his house.
Maybe like the many doom and gloomers before me, I'm fretting over a hypothetical that will never happen in my lifetime. But then again, maybe not.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Resurrection Day
Soon it will be Easter. I'll be hiding eggs for the kids and the family will be playing and enjoying each others company. But we'll not be thinking about Jesus, or his miraculous victory over death. We'll not be reading his story of what he did and why he did it and who he did it for. No, we'll be celebrating Bunnies and eggs, and whatever else this holiday has become.
I sit here thinking about where I am in life. Why God chose this time, this family, these circumstance for me? Every day I feel my humanity, my vulnerability, my inadequacy at who I am and what I do and who I'm responsible for. Yet, my family is somehow provide for, there is food on our table, a roof over our heads, cloths on our backs. We don't have an extravagant life, but we certainly aren't left wanting. God has truly provided for us.
I'm often told I'm good man, hard worker, good husband, good father, good this good that.... But when I look in the mirror, I don't see any of it. Kinda of like the woman whom is beautiful and everyone tells her so, but she looks in the mirror and can only see her flaws. I look in the mirror and my flaws glare out at me. No amount of blood and sweat can wipe away those flaws. They are like weeds, you pull one and three more pop up.
What are my flaws? Not sure I'm ready to lay them out for all to see. It's enough that I see them.
You know, when I was single I didn't much worry about my flaws. I was much more willing to sweep them under the rug. But as a husband and a father, my flaws become burdensome weights. My errors trickle down to my family. My bad ways and bad habits become my children's bad ways and bad habits. A carefree nomad is not fit to be a father. Yet I find myself longing to be that carefree nomad again. Ignorance is bliss. Irresponsibility, joyous.
But I am a husband and I am father. It's a heavy burden which God has deemed fit for men to bear. It is a burden filled with blessings. Blessings which usually aren't readily apparent when you want to throw your screaming two year old out of the jeep after the third hour of crying.
I guess I'm just tired. And worried. Our economy is collapsing, job security is a phantom, the home and the security I work so hard far, is always on the brink of slipping through my fingers.
I'm making all these plans for the future. Paying off debt, going back to school, buying a home, upgrading our family vehicle, starting a business. Each one by itself seems daunting and unattainable. Throw them all together and I'm beginning to buy into my wife's label of me. She affectionately labels me and my friends "The Dreamers".
But I'm not dreaming. I will achieve my goals. I will succeed and my family will be the better for it. Maybe I'm just looking for my second wind. Maybe I should be recognizing that right now is the calm before the storm. The storm is coming. The cards are not stacked in my favor. But I have to believe in my success. I have to trust God will carry me through. If I didn't have that hope, that assurance that God is in control and that he loves me and that he is driving my life and will drive my success, than I would just crumble into nothingness.
The burden of life; the burden of being a husband, father, provider; the burden of being a corporate leader, the driving force of a major division of my company; the burden of raising my kids to be God fearing adults; the burden of tomorrow, and the next day and the next day; the burden of friendship, being a shoulder to cry on; The burden of struggling to keep God's law which I know I'll never ever ever be able to do; the burden of existence, would crush me to dust. An so on and so forth.
I thank God that the burden is truly his. I thank God that while it may seem that I stand as Atlas with the world on my shoulders, it is truly I who am standing on the shoulders of God and it is he who is lifting and carrying the burdens which I bemoan about. It is He who assures me that I will get through today, and tomorrow and the day after.
And as I stand here tired, and weary with life, I know that I will be ok.
"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live.
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul
But Lord 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul"
Horatio Spafford (you should read his story. He lost 5 children and his successful law business very shortly before writing this)
Happy Resurrection Day.
I sit here thinking about where I am in life. Why God chose this time, this family, these circumstance for me? Every day I feel my humanity, my vulnerability, my inadequacy at who I am and what I do and who I'm responsible for. Yet, my family is somehow provide for, there is food on our table, a roof over our heads, cloths on our backs. We don't have an extravagant life, but we certainly aren't left wanting. God has truly provided for us.
I'm often told I'm good man, hard worker, good husband, good father, good this good that.... But when I look in the mirror, I don't see any of it. Kinda of like the woman whom is beautiful and everyone tells her so, but she looks in the mirror and can only see her flaws. I look in the mirror and my flaws glare out at me. No amount of blood and sweat can wipe away those flaws. They are like weeds, you pull one and three more pop up.
What are my flaws? Not sure I'm ready to lay them out for all to see. It's enough that I see them.
You know, when I was single I didn't much worry about my flaws. I was much more willing to sweep them under the rug. But as a husband and a father, my flaws become burdensome weights. My errors trickle down to my family. My bad ways and bad habits become my children's bad ways and bad habits. A carefree nomad is not fit to be a father. Yet I find myself longing to be that carefree nomad again. Ignorance is bliss. Irresponsibility, joyous.
But I am a husband and I am father. It's a heavy burden which God has deemed fit for men to bear. It is a burden filled with blessings. Blessings which usually aren't readily apparent when you want to throw your screaming two year old out of the jeep after the third hour of crying.
I guess I'm just tired. And worried. Our economy is collapsing, job security is a phantom, the home and the security I work so hard far, is always on the brink of slipping through my fingers.
I'm making all these plans for the future. Paying off debt, going back to school, buying a home, upgrading our family vehicle, starting a business. Each one by itself seems daunting and unattainable. Throw them all together and I'm beginning to buy into my wife's label of me. She affectionately labels me and my friends "The Dreamers".
But I'm not dreaming. I will achieve my goals. I will succeed and my family will be the better for it. Maybe I'm just looking for my second wind. Maybe I should be recognizing that right now is the calm before the storm. The storm is coming. The cards are not stacked in my favor. But I have to believe in my success. I have to trust God will carry me through. If I didn't have that hope, that assurance that God is in control and that he loves me and that he is driving my life and will drive my success, than I would just crumble into nothingness.
The burden of life; the burden of being a husband, father, provider; the burden of being a corporate leader, the driving force of a major division of my company; the burden of raising my kids to be God fearing adults; the burden of tomorrow, and the next day and the next day; the burden of friendship, being a shoulder to cry on; The burden of struggling to keep God's law which I know I'll never ever ever be able to do; the burden of existence, would crush me to dust. An so on and so forth.
I thank God that the burden is truly his. I thank God that while it may seem that I stand as Atlas with the world on my shoulders, it is truly I who am standing on the shoulders of God and it is he who is lifting and carrying the burdens which I bemoan about. It is He who assures me that I will get through today, and tomorrow and the day after.
And as I stand here tired, and weary with life, I know that I will be ok.
"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live.
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul
But Lord 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul"
Horatio Spafford (you should read his story. He lost 5 children and his successful law business very shortly before writing this)
Happy Resurrection Day.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
37 Years
Today we had a retirement party for a gentlemen whose been with my company for 37 years. I wasn't even thought of 37 years ago. What did he do for all those years? He worked the floor and drove forklifts. Day in and day out for 37 years. And in his last year here, the only year I knew him, he was always smiling, always courteous and always safe. Everyday.
Where are the people like him today? Where is the young kid willing to work himself day in and day out, content that he brings home a paycheck for his family? Where is the young man who knows how to be wealthy at any wage? Where is the young man with the commitment to press on for 37 years?
I don't think I know anyone in my generation like that. My record at one job is 6 years, and that is only because I was under a contract that would land me in Ft Leavenworth had i violated it.
Where have all the good men gone?
Where are the people like him today? Where is the young kid willing to work himself day in and day out, content that he brings home a paycheck for his family? Where is the young man who knows how to be wealthy at any wage? Where is the young man with the commitment to press on for 37 years?
I don't think I know anyone in my generation like that. My record at one job is 6 years, and that is only because I was under a contract that would land me in Ft Leavenworth had i violated it.
Where have all the good men gone?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The next Great Depression
Who remembers the Great Depression? Neither do I. But everyone else does and they seem to believe that 12 years of gov't spending and gov't programs is what got us out of the Great Depression. And that seems to be our gov'ts plan today. Spend spend spend spend spend. Somebody, anybody, please explain to me how spending hundreds of billions of dollars we don't have is going to help us get out of debt. Somebody convinced Obama and all of the Democrats and many of the Republicans. Somebody convince me.
I'm tired of hearing that the Free Market failed. Really it did? When? When in any of your lives has there been a Free Market?
There can be no Free Market as long as there is gov't intervention and regulation. Gov't intervention has been growing since the Civil War. FDR accelerared the process and it's been getting worse ever since. Read 1984 written in the late 40's (I think). There are many that saw it coming, but we are the frog in the hot water that can't see that it will soon be boiling us alive.
A wise man once said, "There is nothing new under the sun". History always repeats itself and those who don't study history are doomed to repeat history. Why we got here is easy to explain. Where we are going is easy to see. How we survive the ride in tact is the question? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
In the beginning.......... well, isn't that where we are now?
When I started wrting this I thought I was gonna ramble on for hours... but alas, I just don't feel like it. Off to watch LOST.
I'm tired of hearing that the Free Market failed. Really it did? When? When in any of your lives has there been a Free Market?
There can be no Free Market as long as there is gov't intervention and regulation. Gov't intervention has been growing since the Civil War. FDR accelerared the process and it's been getting worse ever since. Read 1984 written in the late 40's (I think). There are many that saw it coming, but we are the frog in the hot water that can't see that it will soon be boiling us alive.
A wise man once said, "There is nothing new under the sun". History always repeats itself and those who don't study history are doomed to repeat history. Why we got here is easy to explain. Where we are going is easy to see. How we survive the ride in tact is the question? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
In the beginning.......... well, isn't that where we are now?
When I started wrting this I thought I was gonna ramble on for hours... but alas, I just don't feel like it. Off to watch LOST.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Buy or Rent
Until recently I was seriously considering buying a house. But there is really only two reasons to buy a house and I'm not sure I meet either of the two criteria. The two reasons you buy a home are
1) You intend it own it long term as your family home
2) You intend it to be a rental unit.
I have no intention of spending the rest of my life in LA so option 1 is out. So what about option two?
Option 2 isn't as sure fire as it may seem. Even with the housing market approaching a 10 year low, there is no guarantee it won't crash even further. If the economy continues to tank to a level that no one can afford the "rent", than I'm stuck.
And since Congress and our beloved President are doing everything they can to prolong and deepen the recession, I have no faith that the economy will hold out enough to pay me rent.
I guess that leaves me a renter for now. At least that means I'm not tethered to any one place.
1) You intend it own it long term as your family home
2) You intend it to be a rental unit.
I have no intention of spending the rest of my life in LA so option 1 is out. So what about option two?
Option 2 isn't as sure fire as it may seem. Even with the housing market approaching a 10 year low, there is no guarantee it won't crash even further. If the economy continues to tank to a level that no one can afford the "rent", than I'm stuck.
And since Congress and our beloved President are doing everything they can to prolong and deepen the recession, I have no faith that the economy will hold out enough to pay me rent.
I guess that leaves me a renter for now. At least that means I'm not tethered to any one place.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Peter Schiff on our economy
If you want to know why we are, where we are, listen to this. It's long, but he spells it out for you.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3915119166991168859
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I've had this song stuck in my head since last Saturday. For the first time in two years (basically since Caleb was born) my wife and I went on a date. We joined up with a friend of mine at City Walk at Universal Studios and spent an evening in a piano bar drinking, singing and watching people make fools of themselves.
In retrospect, I wish we had done something a little bit quieter. But it was good to go out. Our next date? Will most likely be our anniversary. Look at 3 days and 2 nights in a quiet little mountain town called Idyllwid. Hiking, picnics, jacuzzi's, good food, critters and of course each other with no kids.
And then movie night.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
Today I should be at church. Instead I'm at home writing you, dear reader. Why? Daylight Saving time. Both me and my wife forget to change the clocks.
So I decided to look up how we came about this crazy habit of changing time.
Long gone is the day when the farmer woke to the rooster's crow and slept when the sunset, or the days of the sun dial where time was always based upon daylight hours and thus naturally adjusted throughout the year.
Now we live in a calculated time where we live by the clock which is based upon scientific study of how long a second, minute, hour, day and year should be. And so we stopped living by natures clock (the sun) and started living by man's clock (big Ben).
So Big Ben Franklin came up with the notion of Daylight Saving time, though at the time nobody listened to him. In a society that lives by the clock, who lives North of the equator, nature changes daylight for us. So is it wise to live like Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and until 2005, Indiana? Or is it better to send ourselves into self induces jet-lag for the sake of daylight?
The argument for Daylight saving time is twofold.
-We waste daylight if we don't adjust the clock an hour
-We save a whopping 1-2% in energy cost
Indiana used to be divided on the issue. Western Indiana practiced Daylight Saving Time and Eastern Indiana didn't. In 2005 a new law changed that and the whole state no practices the changing of the clocks. A study of the Energy used before and after the time change law show an increase in energy use after the change.
Now the "experts" argue that this finding won't be true of all areas (trying to retain their dignity in proclaiming the energy savings). Now I concede this may be true, but it is also true that the notion of DST being a universal energy saver is a false notion.
And so we are left with the "it is a better use of daylight" argument.
I personally think we would do just as well to spend an extra hour in darkness in the mornings of winter than to juggle our clocks twice a year. Most of us Angelino's are driving to work at that time anyway. This would afford us and our children that extra hour in the evening for outdoor time. And I wouldn't be sitting here at home, researching the beginning of this national if not global phenomenon.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Obamanation
I've been an American my whole life. There have been six US Presidents in my lifetime. I just want to know why this is the first time in my life that every time the President speaks, every channel shuts down all regular programming to broadcast his oh-so-important, professionally drafted, reading via a teleprompter of someone elses words?
Just wondering what makes this President any different than the other five?
Just wondering what makes this President any different than the other five?
Monday, February 16, 2009
$9,700,000,000,000
With the passing of the latest "Stimulus" package it is estimated the total money invested by the Federal Govt to stimulate our economy at $9.7 Trillion dollars. I thought it be fitting if we look at what that means. Look at that number again. Can you even fathom that much money? Based on that number it is estimated that the share of every citizen in America is $33,000. That is more than many American's make in a year. It's certainly a significant chunk of my income.
What are we "stimulating"?
Can someone explain to a simpleton like me how $9.7 Trillion Dollars of more debt is going to help me, my children and my grandchildren? Can someone explain how loading this incredible burden on the taxpayer is going to stop a recession / depression?
"Dear Citizens of America. We your leaders know you can't pay your bills and have no jobs, so we thought we'd take $33,000 from each of you to bail out bad investors, pad the pockets of our special interest and promote our socialist societal programs, further invading your lives until we can regulate and control everything. We are doing this in your best interest. Would we lie to you?"
So take a good long look at that number. Pay attention over the next few years as our economy continues to crumble. Pay attention when your Congressmen and President ask for the next "Stimulus" bill.
Ask yourself, are these the people I want running my country? Can I trust these people with my future? Can I trust them with my Children's future? My Grandchildren's?
I for one have run out of trust for our Govt. And as our economy crumbles around me I wonder what the future holds for me and my family? I wonder how I will survive? I wonder what I will have to give to my kids, my grandkids? When the boat is sinking and you look out 360 degrees and see only the horizon, what do you do?
What are we "stimulating"?
Can someone explain to a simpleton like me how $9.7 Trillion Dollars of more debt is going to help me, my children and my grandchildren? Can someone explain how loading this incredible burden on the taxpayer is going to stop a recession / depression?
"Dear Citizens of America. We your leaders know you can't pay your bills and have no jobs, so we thought we'd take $33,000 from each of you to bail out bad investors, pad the pockets of our special interest and promote our socialist societal programs, further invading your lives until we can regulate and control everything. We are doing this in your best interest. Would we lie to you?"
So take a good long look at that number. Pay attention over the next few years as our economy continues to crumble. Pay attention when your Congressmen and President ask for the next "Stimulus" bill.
Ask yourself, are these the people I want running my country? Can I trust these people with my future? Can I trust them with my Children's future? My Grandchildren's?
I for one have run out of trust for our Govt. And as our economy crumbles around me I wonder what the future holds for me and my family? I wonder how I will survive? I wonder what I will have to give to my kids, my grandkids? When the boat is sinking and you look out 360 degrees and see only the horizon, what do you do?
Gary North on the American Gold Standard
Mr North is a sound voice of economic reason in our economically battered society.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north687.html
http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north687.html
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Abolish The Federal Reserve
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul504.html
My favorite congressman strikes again. House Resolution 833 will certainly be ignored by everyone in congress save for it's sole sponsor. But what could be better for America than to do away with the agency responsible for the decimation of America's financial world.
Give Congress back the sole authority to regulate American currency. What a crazy notion right?
What is the definition of insanity? "Repeating the same behaviour over and over and over again expecting different results" Is that not what we do when we sit here expecting the Fed to fix our financial crisis by continuing to play God with inflation and our money.
This may be the only sane solution to our financial crisis to come out of Congress.
Here is to the only sane man in Congress.
My favorite congressman strikes again. House Resolution 833 will certainly be ignored by everyone in congress save for it's sole sponsor. But what could be better for America than to do away with the agency responsible for the decimation of America's financial world.
Give Congress back the sole authority to regulate American currency. What a crazy notion right?
What is the definition of insanity? "Repeating the same behaviour over and over and over again expecting different results" Is that not what we do when we sit here expecting the Fed to fix our financial crisis by continuing to play God with inflation and our money.
This may be the only sane solution to our financial crisis to come out of Congress.
Here is to the only sane man in Congress.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
UNMOUNTABLE DATA
Not sure what that means, but for my computer it meant the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH. I can't even boot up in Safe Mode. So I pulled out my discs and spent four hours of mind numbing troubleshooting including playing with the BIOS. Finally I succumbed to my IT inadequacies and called Dell. Since I had already done much of what they would have suggested they very quickly confirmed that my hard drive was toast.
The good news is I get a new hard drive. The bad news is, if I want my old data, I'll have to pay some computer geek to pull it off the fried drive.
On a completely different note God is providing abundantly for my family. After nearly half a decade of living on the financial edge, I'm about to come in to a small inheritance as well as finally get paid the remainder of the capital owed me by my former business partner. These combined incomes will finally close the door on my debt. It's a really good feeling knowing my family will finally be free of the burden of debt.
And me, being me, I'm already planning what to do with my new found wealth. What am I gonna do? Invest of course. And avoid any form of debt at all costs. What does that mean? If I need a car, I'll save for it, if I need furniture, I'll save for it, IF I NEED, I WILL SAVE.
I'm also working on the plans for a future business. Currently I have two partners. We will be a Christian Investment Corporation. Our primary goal will be to use existing capital (wealth we have saved and/or acquired) to invest and improve existing businesses or start new businesses.
I don't expect all of our ventures to succeed. However, because we will be using real capital and not credit, there will be no lingering debt if/when we fail at any particular venture. Our successful ventures will be used to help fund future ventures.
Why, after so many moons of living under the burden of debt due to the failure of my business am I so quickly seeking to go back into business? Because wealth isn't made over night. Because success comes from trial and error. The majority of wealthy people have failed many times.
I will not spend the rest of my existence on earth working to make someone else wealthy. No, I will spend the rest of my life building my legacy (with the help of my friends), teaching my children to do the same, and my grandchildren in turn. I'm off to a slow and rocky start, but I have faith.
So, here I go again.
The good news is I get a new hard drive. The bad news is, if I want my old data, I'll have to pay some computer geek to pull it off the fried drive.
On a completely different note God is providing abundantly for my family. After nearly half a decade of living on the financial edge, I'm about to come in to a small inheritance as well as finally get paid the remainder of the capital owed me by my former business partner. These combined incomes will finally close the door on my debt. It's a really good feeling knowing my family will finally be free of the burden of debt.
And me, being me, I'm already planning what to do with my new found wealth. What am I gonna do? Invest of course. And avoid any form of debt at all costs. What does that mean? If I need a car, I'll save for it, if I need furniture, I'll save for it, IF I NEED, I WILL SAVE.
I'm also working on the plans for a future business. Currently I have two partners. We will be a Christian Investment Corporation. Our primary goal will be to use existing capital (wealth we have saved and/or acquired) to invest and improve existing businesses or start new businesses.
I don't expect all of our ventures to succeed. However, because we will be using real capital and not credit, there will be no lingering debt if/when we fail at any particular venture. Our successful ventures will be used to help fund future ventures.
Why, after so many moons of living under the burden of debt due to the failure of my business am I so quickly seeking to go back into business? Because wealth isn't made over night. Because success comes from trial and error. The majority of wealthy people have failed many times.
I will not spend the rest of my existence on earth working to make someone else wealthy. No, I will spend the rest of my life building my legacy (with the help of my friends), teaching my children to do the same, and my grandchildren in turn. I'm off to a slow and rocky start, but I have faith.
So, here I go again.
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