Monday, November 28, 2011
Thanksgiving should be everyday
Had a nice Thanksgiving with neighbors and family. Always nice to get together and catch up with each other during the break in our busy lives, Thanksgiving is a nice time to look at where we are and give thanks to all the good that surrounds us. Its that time of the year to reach out and help others in need. Always wonder why some only wait until Thanksgiving to help others. We should give thanks every day and treat others as we would like to be treated.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Ole Memories While Cleaning
During the off season I stay busy cleaning and doing repairs around the house. Found some old toys from my youth and from my kids that brought back memories of growing up. So far I found complete Lionel train sets, Tonka toys, old McDonalds "Happy Meal" toys, dolls, beanie babies and this ole rocking/jumping house from early 60's. Had to laugh when I found this old commercial via Google.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Halloween
Halloween is almost upon us and that means hit the stores for your trick or treat candy. My memories as a kid were dressing up in a home made costume, grabbing the UNICEF box received from school and heading out until around 9 PM. Then coming home and sorting through what was good and what I did not like. Was not much for the candy and but especially hated the candy corn. If you have pre-teen kids it's time to get the costumes ready. By the way what is cut-off age to let kids go out for trick or treating? Mine were around 13 or 14 than they found better things to do. Always enjoyed the pumpkin search and carving them out with the kids. I remember one year my neighbor went trick or treating with her young daughter and left a bucket of candy on the porch as a self serve approach. Needless to say that did not workout! One year I had fun sitting still in a chair on front porch wearing poncho, mask, floppy hat, gloves and old boots and jumped when kids came to the door. Had one neighbor that was downright creep the way they decorated for Halloween. They actually scared me and also thought they were a little odd only decorating for Halloween. Now a days I sit in the front room and wait for knock or door bell, causally go to front door with bucket of candy and do the customary drop in to their bags, buckets or whatever they are using to transport their goods. Usually turn the porch light off at 10 PM, figuring that's late enough for the real "trick or treaters" to be out. How ever old you are you gotta love the little ones in their costumes. Be Safe and Happy Halloween.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Look Underground
Germany's Mad Man
Adolf Hitler took up residence in the Führerbunker in January 1945. It was here during the last week of April 1945 that Hitler and his one day bride committed suicide.
Iraq Leader - December 2003
Saddam Hussein - American special forces troops pulled Saddam from a hole in the ground outside Tikrit in December 2003
Libyan Leader - October 2011
Muammar Gaddafi found hiding in a sewer drain after NATO strike bombed his vehicle.
Mafia Boss - August 2011
Armed Carabinieri officers found Francesco Pesce, one of the country's most wanted fugitives, living a comfortable existence in the air-conditioned bunker, which consisted of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
Top 15 Toppled Dictators
Adolf Hitler took up residence in the Führerbunker in January 1945. It was here during the last week of April 1945 that Hitler and his one day bride committed suicide.
Iraq Leader - December 2003
Saddam Hussein - American special forces troops pulled Saddam from a hole in the ground outside Tikrit in December 2003
Libyan Leader - October 2011
Muammar Gaddafi found hiding in a sewer drain after NATO strike bombed his vehicle.
Mafia Boss - August 2011
Armed Carabinieri officers found Francesco Pesce, one of the country's most wanted fugitives, living a comfortable existence in the air-conditioned bunker, which consisted of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
Top 15 Toppled Dictators
Labels:
Top 15 Toppled Dictators
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Red Tide in Corpus Christi
The beach was full of dead fish for miles during my walk this past weekend. Found out they had "Red Tide". Amazing how many fish died for miles. Bet its going to smell for a while.
Labels:
Corpus Christi
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Air Travel
Been on and off several planes since April due to business and started compiling a list of airports to avoid. Anything in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta...AVOID. Expect delays at these airports. Pittsburgh has very slow security checks during morning and late afternoon flights. Hint: use alternate security check point at PIT. Charlotte is good and its a nice airport with wood crafted rockers to relax in. Plus free Internet unlike DFW. Dulles/Reagan - hate it, too slow. DFW nice layout but expect delays on departures and a nice airport tour when landing from the south and flying AA. Canton, OH is a small commuter airport but a very fast in and out. Vegas, has a long line for security but it moves fast with no delays in past two trips there this year. Philly, older airport but no problems to get in and out. Rental car service is very slow though. Denver, nice airport but expect some delays in winter months.
Is it me or are the flight attendants getting worse regarding to service. Understand security and all that but some are downright rude to people when it come to raising seat backs and storing more than one bag in overhead storage. Another thing is using computers or cell phones? Need some help with this one. They are very strict about cell phone usage for calls or checking Emails prior to leaving gate. Have heard several flight attendants threaten passengers with not being able to leave gate until they turn it off. Guess people inside terminal 100 feet away and car drivers using cells driving by on local roads are special and will not cause harm to takeoffs or landings. Why do they not threaten not to land until you turn off your phone? Just wondering?
Is it me or are the flight attendants getting worse regarding to service. Understand security and all that but some are downright rude to people when it come to raising seat backs and storing more than one bag in overhead storage. Another thing is using computers or cell phones? Need some help with this one. They are very strict about cell phone usage for calls or checking Emails prior to leaving gate. Have heard several flight attendants threaten passengers with not being able to leave gate until they turn it off. Guess people inside terminal 100 feet away and car drivers using cells driving by on local roads are special and will not cause harm to takeoffs or landings. Why do they not threaten not to land until you turn off your phone? Just wondering?
Rangers Get It Done Again
Monday, October 3, 2011
iPhone 5 - Will It Be Worth The Wait??
Press meeting in morning to release the iPhone 5 information and availability. With the addition of the Droid phones in the marketplace and Googles presence will it be as big as prior iPhones. Hope so my 3GS is obsolete.
I heart radio
Now tuned to "i heart radio" for listening pleasure while pecking away on the PC. Prior listener of Pandora but now love the "i heart radio" channels. Try it.
http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/radio_app/
http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/radio_app/
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Ready for these storms to cease
This year my business is busier than ever assessing property storm damage around the US. The phone and Emails have not stopped since April 1st. The hail and light wind damage I can handle but going through the paths of tornado damaged areas is devastating and emotional. Seeing peoples lives change in minutes is sad and makes one appreciate every day we live and how fast it could change. Hopefully the hurricane season will be mild as in the past few years and the weather torn areas can start the rebuild process.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Graduations
Something about seeing your first child walk across the stage and receive his college diploma that gets one chocked up. I had the pleasure of experiencing this wonderful feeling today and yes I was the proud Dad. One down and one to go in two more years. Congratulations to all of the graduates and families who support them.
Busy Busy Busy
Been a bit busy chasing storms acrosss the country. Started in Dallas with the frozen pipes in February to North Carolina for hail and high winds. Passed on the Alabama and Tennessee disasters and returned to DFW to work the hail. Have been camped out in the Weatherford area and all areas to the East, West North and South. Have looked at some pretty beat up properties from Rhome to Lipan and as far West as Gordon. The good side I am seeing aeas that I have never seen before and meeting some nice people while doing it. Not one to complain about the busy workload but hope this weatehr breaks to give relief to the people who are losing everything from fires, floods and tornado's.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Been Busy
My main means of income revolves around weather and boy I have been a busy beaver. Traveled to Charlotte last week and the weather has not stopped coming and even hit my own home in North Texas with hail last week. The damage south of Raleigh is quite devastating to the eye and your heart hurts looking at so many people who have lost everything and some their lives. This has been quite a tear for worldwide devastation starting with earthquakes to fires and tornadoes. Appears someone of higher authority is sending a message. Based of the predicted warming trend it appears likely there is more to come and we have not even hit hurricane season. Stay safe and don't ignore the weathers alerts.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Beautiful Day to be Outside
Spent the morning tending to the flower beds turning the soil over. Promised the 2 1/2 year old twins a Happy Meal today so I took a quick yard work break. Love to play with the kids too bad they eventually grow up. What's with Lake Dallas schools in North Texas. Seems like they are striving for the teenage suicide crown last awarded to Plano years a go. So sad young kids are contemplating killing themselves when they are just starting to live life. Just loaded IE 9.0 and still trying to get used to teh new look.
Hot News
Fort Worth high school student dead after fight
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/01/2967100/report-fort-worth-high-school.html#ixzz1IIlAtGLl
Former Basketball Star Allen Iverson
Ex Basketball Star get Lambroughini Impounded - Do You Feel For Him... NO!
Appears it has happened in the past
Good News for the Economy
Solid jobs growth in March shows recovery is for real
Hot News
Fort Worth high school student dead after fight
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/01/2967100/report-fort-worth-high-school.html#ixzz1IIlAtGLl
Former Basketball Star Allen Iverson
Ex Basketball Star get Lambroughini Impounded - Do You Feel For Him... NO!
Appears it has happened in the past
Good News for the Economy
Solid jobs growth in March shows recovery is for real
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Taxes - Blah Blah Blah
With the weather cold and crappy outside it allows me to stay indoors and do what I usually put off until the last minute. Taxes!. My business accountant has opted to file extensions the past few years rather than do my business taxes on time. This in turn delays my personal filing since I have an S Corp. Well this year I have taken on the task of doing my own business taxes again and so far it has gone pretty good. Hopefully I will get all down by the dreaded April 15th! Hate paying taxes to our government who mismanages the money to the hilt but hey that's America. Would love to see the government do a check prior to paying money out to some people who have never worked and do not want to work. Let's say when you apply for government funds they look and see how much you have put in to the system as in actually paying taxes and your payments are based on that amount. Too many are taking advantage of government programs that have never worked or paid a dime in taxes. Then again why should they work when they paid more by our broken system government then they would if they actually worked.
RETURNS
My neighbor jokes about me when I head to Lowes or Home Depot because I am always returning items I bought. Most of the time it's hardware, irrigation fittings or plumbing. Like to make sure I have the right crap to finish the repair or job. Hate to make multiple trips back and forth so I cover all the bases on the first trip. Same goes for car repairs when visiting auto parts stores. Other than these stores I am not much of a shopper and usually go in and get what I need and get out. I would not classify myself as a "Returnaholic".
Are You A Returnaholic?
Here are 5 ways to know if you’re a returnaholic:
Are You A Returnaholic?
Here are 5 ways to know if you’re a returnaholic:
- You return more than 50% of the things you buy.
- You spend more than one hour a day returning items.
- You feel like your return mania is interfering with your life.
- Your mood changes when you shop — usually with a strong adrenaline rush. But when you return an item, the thrill is gone.
- You buy with a mind for using something once or “trying it out,” then returning it.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Back to Coolness in North Texas
After a week of pretty much perfect weather I awoke to dreary overcast and cool temperatures this morning that are expected for this time of year. Last week I was able to get in some good trail riding on the horse while enjoying the beautiful weather. Worked on taxes a few days and that was a beat down but a must do process. Yesterday my community had the semi annual garage sale, as usual the streets were impassable with visitors stopping in the middle of the road when something caught their eye. Every year I dread the traffic and people parking on both sides making the roads one way causing road blocks when cars come from either way. Ventured out to meet family at Joe's Crab Shack in Dallas for a late lunch which took me on Hwy 114 that was totally closed for new overpass construction. A normal 20 minute trip took almost an hour going down side roads and miles out of the way. On the way back the traffic was backed up for miles with Southlake's finest handing out tickets for those cutting across the median to avoid traffic backups. What would that traffic violation be called? Lately I have been getting back in to the workout routine pretty heavy and yesterday was more than usual due to guilt of stopping at Braum's for a treat after Joe's Crab Shack. Went for 4 mile walk then 4 mile run on treadmill to finish off with a P90X Stretching video. Love that video, all feels good afterwards.
On another topic this past week we lost Dame Elizabeth Taylor and past VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro. Both made an impact in our world and will be remembered.
Still trying to figure out why my gadgets and widgets do not display any more on my Blog. Anyone have a solution?
On another topic this past week we lost Dame Elizabeth Taylor and past VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro. Both made an impact in our world and will be remembered.
Still trying to figure out why my gadgets and widgets do not display any more on my Blog. Anyone have a solution?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Windy Day
Great day to fly a kite in North Texas. Spent most of the day in a hotel ballroom getting re certified to work Florida Citizens Insurance claims. Required to attend same class, same PowerPoint slides, same boring session for those large number of hurricanes that the brilliant forecaster have been predicting for the past three years. On the positive side this years class only lasted four hours versus the normal eight. Came back home and pulled the "Ole GTO" out for a leisure drive to view brothers new house about 15 miles away. Perfect convertible weather with a light cloud cover and 80 degrees. Another month and top down drives will be limited to evenings only especially with a black interior. Yesterday after horse rail ride I applied another round of weed killer to hit those stragglers that survived last round. All in all yard is looking pretty good. Tulips and daffodils have run their course and starting to die off while other foliage and flowers are starting their growth. With spring break coming to an end and kids heading back to higher education establishments its back to a tidy and quite home front. AAAHHHHH how nice. Honestly I enjoyed having them home for the past week. I am blessed with two great kids. Well better head out to 24 Hours Fitness for the Spring body workout.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Trail ride
Yesterday was spent looking at old classics cars at Texas Motor Speedway Good Guys Show . This morning it was off to Lake Ray Roberts for a three hour trail ride in perfect weather. Looking forward to more trail rides before it gets too hot here in North Texas. Its been a big change from last weeks mid 30's weather in Northeast Ohio and this great weather in Texas. Glad I live here and don't get the cold stuff too much.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Care or Don't Care
Past week I've been enjoying the greatness of the Ohio Valley weather. NOT, unless you like cold rainy miserable weather. Left DFW area last week and my sprinklers were on watering in some Scotts fertilizer and by Tulips and Daffodils were looking good with some popped out already. Even the birds were chirping away in the nice mid sixties and expected high of seventy three. Amazing what the technology of air flight can do to a person. Got off in Pittsburgh to be greeted with 19 degrees of pure coldness. It was as cold as Big Ben performance in the recent Super Bowl. All I can say is "glad they have flights back to warmer climates".
Care or Don't Care??
- Charlie Sheen - big DON'T CARE
- Last Flight of Space Shuttle Discovery - Care, amazed every time one goes up.
- "Golden Voice" Ted Williams - Don't Care. Used up his 15 minutes of fame
- Anything Lindsay Lohan or anyone else with Lohan last name or Cyrus - Don't Care
- FDA approval of Drug for Lupus - Care
- Possible NFL lockout/Strike - Don't Care about overpaid athletes that whine and just as greedy owners. The fan gets screwed by both sides.
- Jared Lee Loughner Tucson, AZ shooter - Don't care but think and he cannot be put down fast enough
- Gas Prices (gouging) - Care, everything will start to rise in price due to cost of deliveries and air fare. The economy is getting worse not better.
Care or Don't Care??
- Charlie Sheen - big DON'T CARE
- Last Flight of Space Shuttle Discovery - Care, amazed every time one goes up.
- "Golden Voice" Ted Williams - Don't Care. Used up his 15 minutes of fame
- Anything Lindsay Lohan or anyone else with Lohan last name or Cyrus - Don't Care
- FDA approval of Drug for Lupus - Care
- Possible NFL lockout/Strike - Don't Care about overpaid athletes that whine and just as greedy owners. The fan gets screwed by both sides.
- Jared Lee Loughner Tucson, AZ shooter - Don't care but think and he cannot be put down fast enough
- Gas Prices (gouging) - Care, everything will start to rise in price due to cost of deliveries and air fare. The economy is getting worse not better.
All You Need is a Vending Machine
What's not in a vending machine these days?
Okay I've seen snacks, drinks, lottery tickets, detergent at laundromats, years back cigarettes and in raunchy restroom condoms. Found this article on the Web and appears you can get just about anything these days from a vending machine. Some examples are unicycle rentals, gold bars, phones, luxury cars, rental cars but I think they crossed the line when it comes to crabs and fried chicken.
Okay I've seen snacks, drinks, lottery tickets, detergent at laundromats, years back cigarettes and in raunchy restroom condoms. Found this article on the Web and appears you can get just about anything these days from a vending machine. Some examples are unicycle rentals, gold bars, phones, luxury cars, rental cars but I think they crossed the line when it comes to crabs and fried chicken.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Where, Oh Where Did My Widgets Go?
Anyone else having Widget issues? All of my Html, blog rolls and others vanished about two weeks back and I have tried to open and save in design but no luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Oscar Night Finally Here
Picks are is Red
Best Picture
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Kids Are All Right
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
127 Hours
Best Director
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
David Fincher, The Social Network
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
David O. Russell, The Fighter
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, True Grit
Best Actor
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King’s SpeechJames Franco, 127 Hours
Jeff Bridges, True Grit
Javier Bardem, Biutiful
Best Actress
Natalie Portman, Black SwanNicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale, The Fighter
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
Jeremy Renner, The Town
John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Best Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Friday, February 25, 2011
The World Has Gone Crazy
The Middle East is in total "Meltdown" with citizens ousting dictators (not always a bad thing). Fuel prices going off the charts the last two weeks. Pirates hijacking yachts and killing innocent people for no reason. Crazy nut case in West Texas of all places building bombs in his apartment. Winter storms blasting all parts of the US. Texas teachers on the verge of losing their jobs due to state funding cuts to school districts that overspend. Wisconsin union workers in an uproar with numerous protest that's spreading the nation. To add fuel to the fire Wisconsin's 14 Democratic senators have ran to Illinois last week, denying their Republican governor a quorum for to take a vote. Also in Indiana's House about 30 Democratic members ran off this week to avoid votes on a raft of Republican-backed legislation. Who are these people representing? Chicken Little? Wonder who paid the gas on the cars that they used to leave the state?
Indiana State Representative vehicle in a hotel in Illinois
Hmmm... maybe Charlie Sheen has the right prescription for all this madness!
Indiana State Representative vehicle in a hotel in Illinois
Hmmm... maybe Charlie Sheen has the right prescription for all this madness!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Quick hits
Looks like the winter blast has returned to the Midwest and Northeast once again. Now I remember why I live in Texas.
APP for bad drivers called ‘Drive Me Crazy’ for the iPhone. It gives drivers the power to vent out on the bad or good drivers. The downside this is just another reason for people not to pay attention to the job at hand. DRIVING! Just add this to the list of people who drive slow in the left lane while on cell. Then the all over the road with no idea what is going on around them "texting driver". All scary.
Texas Schools are screwed. Expect massive budget cuts and layoffs of teachers. Education is the last place to cut cost.
"Dick Tracy" type watch will be field tested by the Army
Texas House thinking about allowing students and professors to pack iron . Guess the Professors will be rethinking those grades before returning papers to students.
APP for bad drivers called ‘Drive Me Crazy’ for the iPhone. It gives drivers the power to vent out on the bad or good drivers. The downside this is just another reason for people not to pay attention to the job at hand. DRIVING! Just add this to the list of people who drive slow in the left lane while on cell. Then the all over the road with no idea what is going on around them "texting driver". All scary.
Texas Schools are screwed. Expect massive budget cuts and layoffs of teachers. Education is the last place to cut cost.
"Dick Tracy" type watch will be field tested by the Army
Texas House thinking about allowing students and professors to pack iron . Guess the Professors will be rethinking those grades before returning papers to students.
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Stand By Me" by Artist Around The World
The great Ben E. King song "Stand By Me" as sung by people around the world compiled in to one cut. Very nice!
Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Nascar Returns
For all you Nascar Fans Sunday February 20th marks the opening race for 2011 Nascar Season with the Daytona 500. It also marks the 10th anniversary of #3 Dale Earnhardt fatal crash on the last lap of the race. Over the past 10 years several safety related improvements have made crashed safer for the drivers. Some are the new style cars designed to absorb the impact and collapse, track walls that absorb car impacts, fiber seats for the drivers and neck restraints to minimize head snapping as in Dale's accident. Watch for a Cinderella Story of Brian Keselowski who has a 4 year old car and a rag tag pit crew and yes his big brother Brad will also be in the race driving for the prestigious Penske Team.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Cure For Baldness???
At Least Among Mice
Good news, if you are a mouse and having baldness issues, researchers have stumbled on a possible cure. Could this lead to a cure for baldness among humans? Don't know! Well I am not in that league, at least not yet so I don't spend time on worrying about baldness. Stay tuned to the "Info Commercials" for more cures.
Good news, if you are a mouse and having baldness issues, researchers have stumbled on a possible cure. Could this lead to a cure for baldness among humans? Don't know! Well I am not in that league, at least not yet so I don't spend time on worrying about baldness. Stay tuned to the "Info Commercials" for more cures.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
We Have a Westminister Winner
"Hickory" takes the Crown at the Westminster Dog Show. She became the first Scottish deerhound to win the title. I am amazed at all the different types of dogs and the grooming watch dog has in these shows. The commentators always make the dogs sound like they all run around out in fields on a farm when not in shows. Right! Hickory enjoys chasing deers on a farm in Warrenton, Va.
Voices
Just caught Josh Groban on Letterman and thought about the voices that just make you stop in your tracks. . Barbara Streisand was on the Grammy's and she did not dissappoint. Others I can think of are Elvis, Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford ("Phanton of the Opera") new comer Jackie Evancho, Sarah McLachlan - "In the Arms of the Angel", Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mecury (Queen), any of those "Celtic Woman" are just a few. For commercial voice over how can you not like or recognize Mr. James Earl Jones.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Welcome Back Mid 70's
Been busy traveling all over North Texas inspecting frozen pipe water damages. A few were just down right nasty and sad to see peoples homes destroyed by water. Good news is the cold weather is gone for now and we have returned to "Good Ole Texas Winters" and mid 70's temperatures. How nice is that? Visited Christina's tonight with BH for Valentines meal. This is BH's favorite but I am not a big Mexican food connoisseur. To me most of the Mexican dishes look the same. Wondering how high gas prices will go, especially all the miles I have been putting in the last two weeks. While traveling I love to listen to audio books and just finished and older one "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom. The book diaries the slow death of his professor documenting his decline of health caused by ALS. The book is really good and touching. Heard it was a good one and just got around to listening to it. Has some great quotes in it too.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie"
Meaning in Life:
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
Family
"If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important."
Approval through Status
"...if you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down on you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone."
Children
"There is no experience like having children...If you want the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, and to learn to love and bond in the deepest way, then you should have children."
Getting Old
"You have to find what's good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue."
From "Tuesdays with Morrie"
Meaning in Life:
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
Family
"If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important."
Approval through Status
"...if you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down on you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone."
Children
"There is no experience like having children...If you want the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, and to learn to love and bond in the deepest way, then you should have children."
Getting Old
"You have to find what's good and true and beautiful in your life as it is now. Looking back makes you competitive. And, age is not a competitive issue."
Friday, February 11, 2011
Better Think Before You Post
Think before you post!
Once again we are reminded that Blogs, Facebook, MySpace (are they still being used??), Twitter and even Emails are visible to Joe or Jane public. When will people learn that what you post whether its videos, pictures or just your opinions it may come back to haunt you or take you down hard. Another example of this has flashed the headlines when a Bucks County, Pa., high school English teacher Natalie Munroe was suspended for her blog comments. Her PUBLIC blog "NataliesHandBasket.blogspot.com" was shut down shortly afterwards.
Among the 39 barbs she listed:
Once again we are reminded that Blogs, Facebook, MySpace (are they still being used??), Twitter and even Emails are visible to Joe or Jane public. When will people learn that what you post whether its videos, pictures or just your opinions it may come back to haunt you or take you down hard. Another example of this has flashed the headlines when a Bucks County, Pa., high school English teacher Natalie Munroe was suspended for her blog comments. Her PUBLIC blog "NataliesHandBasket.blogspot.com" was shut down shortly afterwards.
Among the 39 barbs she listed:
- "I hear the trash company is hiring."
- "I called out sick a couple of days just to avoid your son."
- "Rude, beligerent [sic], argumentative f**k."
- "Just as bad as his sibling. Don't you know how to raise kids?"
- "Asked too many questions and took too long to ask them. The bell means it's time to leave!"
- "Nowhere near as good as her sibling. Are you sure they're related?"
- "Shy isn't cute in 11th grade; it's annoying. Must learn to advocate for himself instead of having Mommy do it."
- "Too smart for her own good and refuses to play the school 'game' such that she'll never live up to her true potential here."
- "Am concerned that your kid is going to come in one day and open fire on the school. (Wish I was kidding.)"
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Busy Busy Busy
Past few days I've been driving all over Dallas/Ft Worth and surrounding areas performing inspections from water damage due to frozen pipes. Needless to say business is booming with more freezing temps expected Wednesday and Thursday. Love meeting people but sad to see the damages at each property. Heard that last week there were 75 trucks sanding and plowing. For next two days expected weather they will have 12! Guess the remaining 63 were only brought in to make sure roads from Packers/Steelers hotel to practice facilities were clear. Off to bundle up for the cold spell. Please unhook hoses insulate exposed plumbing and leave the faucets dripping.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Warm Weather Returns
Finally an above freezing day that reached the mid 50's. It was a warm welcome. Unfortunately more cold, rainy, freezing and possible snow expected in next few days. Good news is with the warm weather there was a lot of thawing out and melting of icy areas. Associated with the warm weather was a nice boost in insurance claim business that pays my bills. Received claims from Boyd,TX as far east as Texarkana and south to Diboll, TX. The great part about all the business is I get to sleep at home. Just love those frozen pipes. Well the Super Bowl is finally here tomorrow and I hope your team wins.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Super Bowl XLV for "Big D" turns to "Big Freeze"
Scottsdale, AZ frozen fairways |
Brrrrrr!! More Cold Weather Expected
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"Frosty The Snowman" Expected For Super Bowl Media Day
Lowest temps in 15 years are expected in Dallas/Ft Worth to bring in the Super Bowl Media day. The forecasters are predicting sleet, snow, freezing rain, thunder and possible hail. To think it was close to 80 degree's two days a go. Feel for those traveling in because flight cancellations will be over 60% based on prior storms. Luckily the teams arrived today. Next few days should be interesting. Welcome to North Texas!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
About To Get Crazy In DFW Area This Week
In case you haven't heard there is a Super Bowl going on next Sunday in Arlington (Not Dallas) Texas next week. For those of you not familiar with the layout Arlington, TX is in between "Big D" (Dallas) and "Cowtown" (Fort Worth) so both cities will be partying down taking in the revenue from no price too much visitors. Prices have already started to get ridiculous in the surrounding areas. Parking from $100 up to $1000, people renting their homes for $6000 a week and Super Bowl parties every where all day long. Nothing better for a cities economy than a Super Bowl. Down side is traffic is already horrible with "Steeler Nation" and "Cheese Heads" arriving daily. As a side note nothing looks more ridiculous than someone wearing a slab of cheese as a hat. I am sure the fans sitting behind them also appreciate looking at the cheese head too. No matter who you are pulling for the winners are the host cities and their economy. I myself will be returning from Galveston that day and plan to watch the game in the comfort of my media room. I like most people attending the game who have paid thousands for their tickets will be watching the game on a big screen. Most people that attend a game at the "Death Star" Cowboys Stadium spend more time looking at the massive 60 yard long big screen than at the field. The difference is I will not have to wait in line at the bathrooms and my food and beverages will be considerably less. Guess its worth saying I was there even though the players looked like ants. For those attending, enjoy the experience and thanks for the boost in our economy.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Kids Reenactment of Oscar Films
This is good stuff
"The Social Network"
"The King's Speech"
"The Fighter"
"The Social Network"
"The King's Speech"
"The Fighter"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Texas Education Code, Sections 56.011 and 56.012
For those of you with kids in college or getting ready to attend college you better read this information of these two sections. Apparently this has been going on for years and just this last year our great Texas House deemed it necessary to make it required that parents are informed of these charges.
What financial assistance set-asides were required in HB 3015? While authorizing the increase in designated tuition, HB 3015 also added TEC Sections 56.011 and 56.012, which require universities to set-aside at least 15 percent of the amount of resident undergraduate and graduate designated tuition charges in excess of $46 per SCH. This set-aside is to be used to provide financial assistance for undergraduate or graduate students and is intended to lessen the impact of tuition deregulation. Universities are also required to set-aside an additional 5 percent of undergraduate resident designated tuition over $46 per SCH to fund the Texas B-on-Time Student Loan Program. The total financial aid set-asides (not including BOT) for fiscal years 2005-2008 was $248 million for undergraduates and $48 million for graduate students.
Article regarding tuition set asides by Shaw A. Johnson
What financial assistance set-asides were required in HB 3015? While authorizing the increase in designated tuition, HB 3015 also added TEC Sections 56.011 and 56.012, which require universities to set-aside at least 15 percent of the amount of resident undergraduate and graduate designated tuition charges in excess of $46 per SCH. This set-aside is to be used to provide financial assistance for undergraduate or graduate students and is intended to lessen the impact of tuition deregulation. Universities are also required to set-aside an additional 5 percent of undergraduate resident designated tuition over $46 per SCH to fund the Texas B-on-Time Student Loan Program. The total financial aid set-asides (not including BOT) for fiscal years 2005-2008 was $248 million for undergraduates and $48 million for graduate students.
Article regarding tuition set asides by Shaw A. Johnson
School Districts Start Cracking Down
School Districts are tightening their belts across the nation as budgets get cut and expenses continue to rise. Dallas ISD is looking at more layoffs after a continuing cycle of layoff and rehire. Fort Worth ISD is also looking at cuts to reduce cost. In Akron, Ohio Kelley Williams-Bolar, 40, was jailed for sending her two children to a better districts school. She and her two children live in housing projects. in Akron, Ohio and only wanted a safe and better education for her kids. For the past two years she drove them to nearby Copley-Fairlawn district school, where her father lived.
Is this wrong? Well yes. Can you fault her? NO. In Texas we had a plan called "Robin Hood Plan" enacted in 1993. Based on the the tales of "Robin Hood" Texas Educational Agency rated districts based on property valuation per student and sought to balance the tables of the poor districts. TEA would limit the school districts’ wealth and redistributing the excess money recovered from high-wealth districts, the state provides funding to school districts in inverse relation to their wealth. School districts with higher property wealth receive less state funding than low-wealth districts. State aid substantially equalizes overall school funding. Thus it was stealing (limiting) from the rich to help the poor.
Parents when seeking a place raise their children will always look at the school system. For some it is not a choice as in the Ohio case. In Dallas/Forth Worth ISD system there are schools with 10-15 students per teacher where others have 30 plus students per teacher ratio. Some schools do not have enough desks for a student to sit at during class and teachers are told to have them sit on the floor. In other scenario's the students are lacking the essentials such as books. If there is true balance why are do these problems still exist? In several states we also have hundreds of thousand illegal aliens (hate those words, like they are space creatures) attending schools and getting medical needs all for free. Who is paying these cost? You and me I think! So now how wrong is the parent in Ohio now?
Is this wrong? Well yes. Can you fault her? NO. In Texas we had a plan called "Robin Hood Plan" enacted in 1993. Based on the the tales of "Robin Hood" Texas Educational Agency rated districts based on property valuation per student and sought to balance the tables of the poor districts. TEA would limit the school districts’ wealth and redistributing the excess money recovered from high-wealth districts, the state provides funding to school districts in inverse relation to their wealth. School districts with higher property wealth receive less state funding than low-wealth districts. State aid substantially equalizes overall school funding. Thus it was stealing (limiting) from the rich to help the poor.
Parents when seeking a place raise their children will always look at the school system. For some it is not a choice as in the Ohio case. In Dallas/Forth Worth ISD system there are schools with 10-15 students per teacher where others have 30 plus students per teacher ratio. Some schools do not have enough desks for a student to sit at during class and teachers are told to have them sit on the floor. In other scenario's the students are lacking the essentials such as books. If there is true balance why are do these problems still exist? In several states we also have hundreds of thousand illegal aliens (hate those words, like they are space creatures) attending schools and getting medical needs all for free. Who is paying these cost? You and me I think! So now how wrong is the parent in Ohio now?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Quick Hits
* Jack Lalanne, 96, pioneer of fitness passed away on Sunday from complications stemming from pneumonia. He opened his first fitness center in 1936 way before the 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, Gold's Gym, Bally's Fitness and other. He promoted healthy diets, exercising to alleviate stress and depression. He was all for including women in fitness too and always practiced what he preached.
* 2011 Oscar Nominees released for the February 27th ceremonies
* Sad to say you can add Troy Aikman to the list celebrity divorces. After 10 years of marriage Troy and wife Rhonda actually separated months ago and have now filed divorce papers. Troy has two daughters with Rhonda who also has a daughter from a previous marriage.
* Sodapot - Why smoke it when you can now drink it? The soft drinks laced with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is now available. What's next Crack Gum or Heroin Creme? By the way Coke with cocaine as an ingredient Coke have already been on the market years back.
* Super Bowl XLV is set for the Pittsburgh Steelers verse the Green Bay Packers in Arlington, Texas. Yes Arlington not Dallas. A big to do by local news was made that the national broadcaster keep saying the teams are on their way to Dallas for the big game. Get over it we are the Metroplex and seemed to remember the "Dallas Cowboys" played in Irving, Texas for many years. They are still the Dallas Cowboy's not the Arlington Cowboy's. Brother called this weekend with tickets to a Bowl Party so I will be heading down to House of Blues for the party tonight.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Super Bowl Snacks and Random Recipe Blogs
Good Blogs for some tasty recipes. Nothing like the NY Cheesecake and my brother makes a great one but this one looks good too.
From "Sweet Pea's Kitchen" Blog
Various recipes are also available from
"Simply Recipes"
Teriyaki Chicken Breast
Great Super Bowl Snacks Too
Simply Recipes for iPhone
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday Night Painting
Have some fun planned for tonight. Daughter informed me while home on winter break of plans to go back to egg shell paint in her bedroom with aqua inner window trim. First off the last color a few years back was hot pink and prior to that "Care Bear" blue which is always a chore covering with one coat . Second don't think she will be involved in the painting since she is back at school now. She would of helped though if she was home. Good thing is I find painting relaxing and I am pretty fast with cut-in and roller on walls. Learned all the tricks from a paint contractor friend years back. Once painted three bedrooms, hall, family room and living room all with wood floor and ceiling trim, in two days while BH was out of town. Well paint is obtained and I hear a brush calling my name.
Movie Friday "No Strings Attached"
Choose " No Strings Attached" over "The Dilemma" based on "Moviephone" Apps which were both rated "Maybe". "No Strings Attached stars Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Oscar nominee Natalie Portman playing Emma and old summer camp acquaintance. Movie starts off with summer camp get together and proceeds in steps thru college Michigan (nice plug) to chance encounters up to current year. Emma is a Doctor who works at a local hospital and has her core group of close friends and roomates. Adam is an aspiring writer looking for a break while working on a TV show. Adam's father Alvin (Kevin Kline) is a twice divorced wealthy TV producer who now lives with Adam's ex-girl friend who is very flaky. By the way Kline is in great shape for being sixty three years old. Both Adam and Emma have the hots for each other and agree to have a purely physical relationship until each find out that the attraction is turning in to more than expected. Adam confides first to Emma and she gets scared and runs away from Adam. The movie has some very funny scenes especially when Adam visits Emma and her roomates, two girls and a gay guy who are going through that time of the month together. The crowd that viewed movie with me was 30-60 in age and were all laughing at several points throughout the movie. Beside the already mentioned scene another quite funny one was when Adam awoke after a drinking binge in an unfamiliar apartment naked on the couch wondering what happened. Final note rapper Ludacris (Wallace) plays Adam's bar owner friend and he's not bad. The acting by Kutcher and Portman is decent but nothing special about this one. Still a good comedy movie to see for laughs with friends. Rated 3.0/5.0
Fountain Lady's 15 minutes Of Fame Not So Good
Apparently Cathy Cruz Marrero's has five felony counts and should have just let it go.
Texting fountain lady's problems bigger than YouTube fame
Texting fountain lady's problems bigger than YouTube fame
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Weird But True
* Wrong Person to Sell Fake Gold
Man arrested for trying to sell fake gold to police chief who's also a jeweler
* Monk nabbed with nun's skeleton at airport
* Monk nabbed with nun's skeleton at airport
* Maybe she needed to buy some smarts in bulk - lady gets her photo taking at Sam's while using a stolen credit card
Burglars snort ashes of cremated man and 2 dogs, thinking they'd stolen coke or heroin* Tennis Racket Snapped at Handled During Return
iPhone 5 and IPad 2 Coming Soon
With the Verizon iPhone 4 release only weeks away news of iPhone 5 and iPad 2 with SD slot have hit the Internet. Both will also be using a the new Qualcomm chipsets that Apple will now use. The iPad 2 will also be thinner with a new display similar to the iPhone 4.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Very Blessed
Yesterday the BH (better half) and I met my son for lunch at Salt Grass to celebrate his 22nd birthday. While converting VHS tapes to DVDs I ran across one that we made when he was born consisting of the first weeks of his life from hospital, drive home, first diaper change, meeting the friends and relatives up to first Lamaze group get together two months later. Received a call a few hours after returning home from lunch and he was laughing while viewing DVD calling BH and I crazy parents. Boy does time fly by fast. He is finishing his last semester at college and will graduate with a Business Degree from a recognized business college. I am very proud of him and consider it an honor to call him my son. He is by every means a mini me in looks habits and mannerism as in being shy and reserved and now works out all the time. Its a delight to see him mature and the eerie resemblance to myself down to breaking his arm the same age, day, time and place I did at his age. There are difference's though, my path out of high school was US Navy for four years then college for four year on GI Bill where he went direct to college. He is great at chess and I suck at it. I am very mechanical minded and he could care less about tinkering with anything. He will soon be entering the business world and starting his own mark on life. I wish him the best and he will always be my son that I am very proud to love.
By the way I also have a beautiful almost 20 year old daughter who is in her second year at college on her way to being a teacher. I am very proud of her, love her to death and the level headiness she possesses. I do pity the person she marries though.
By the way I also have a beautiful almost 20 year old daughter who is in her second year at college on her way to being a teacher. I am very proud of her, love her to death and the level headiness she possesses. I do pity the person she marries though.
The End is Near For Blockbuster
Only a matter of time now for Blockbuster to be no more. Like the grocery store video section Blockbuster will soon close its doors and fade away. Blockbuster fell victim of technology as in high speed Internet and available download for movies and Netflix. They have served the market and now find themselves no longer needed.
Other Retail closings as on 10-17-2010
2,415 Movie Gallery(Hollywood Video, Game Crazy)
1,000 Quizno’s
690 Blockbuster
200 Waldenbooks (Borders)
175 Ford Lincoln Dealerships
173 Jones Apparel
149 f.y.e.
145 Men’s Warehouse
120 Charming Shoppes
117 Foot Locker
117 The Walking Company
114 Payless
100 AFC (Popeye’s)
100 GameStop
90 Popeye’s
87 Liz Claiborne Outlets
80 Gap
79 Penn Traffic
72 Ann Taylor
60 Abercrombie & Fitch
58 Rite Aid
57 Genesco (Journeys, Underground Station, Hat World, Johnston & Murphy)
50 B. Dalton (Barnes & Noble)
50 Limited
Companies That Could Go Bankrupt in 2011 - Opinion
Jamba Juice, Borders, Rite Aid, Time Warner, Alcatel-Lucent, Blockbuster
Monday, January 17, 2011
Quick Hits
Under the header "What are they Teaching or Not Teaching?" Frayser High School in Memphis has logged 90 teen pregnancies this year from a class of 800 students. They also get federal funding for free or reduced lunches based on the students from low income families. All students attending this high qualify for this federal aid.
Golden Globe Awards host Ricky Gervais was a turn off throwing so called comedic insults to Charlie Sheen, Hugh Hefner, Robert Downey Jr. and even Hollywood Foreign Press Association President. Don't think he will be back.
Ala Boise State's famous red football turf a Texas High School is now on that list. Canyon High School in New Braunfels, TX added the red turf for next years season.
Golden Globe Awards host Ricky Gervais was a turn off throwing so called comedic insults to Charlie Sheen, Hugh Hefner, Robert Downey Jr. and even Hollywood Foreign Press Association President. Don't think he will be back.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs will taking medical leave for health reasons. Apple stock dropped 7% when press release was announced. His last medical leave in 2008 was for a liver transplant. He is also one of the rare recovering pancreatic cancer patients.
Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, 52, the trainer for Presidential Dog Bo passed away Wednesday of respiratory failure at a Virginia hospital.
Last night Golden Globe presenters Sandra Bullock and Eva Longoria. Jury still out on Sandra Bullock's bangs. My daughter opted for this look recently too and in both cases thumbs down. Eva Longoria made a good recovery almost tripping on he dress while walking to present an award. Never understood why the starts where the dresses with long trains at these ceremonies. Seems they opened the door for tripping, for others to step on or possibly just to dust the floor. They look good but don't look too comfortable. Note: Did pretty good on my predictions missing Foreign-Language Film: In a Better World and Actor, Comedy/Musical: Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version. Think they have something against Johnny Depp.
Legos - Paul Janssen from Dublin, Ohio built a replica of the Ohio State stadium in his basement using about a million legos
NFL Playoffs
Last week the Jets took care of the Colts and Peyton Manning and this week the Patriots and Tom Brady. Guess they are for real beating both on the road. On the NFC side it will be "Da Bears" of Chicago against the "Cheese Heads" of Green Bay. Think the playoffs are continuing to prove defense wins championships.
Ala Boise State's famous red football turf a Texas High School is now on that list. Canyon High School in New Braunfels, TX added the red turf for next years season.
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