I am to the point I am going to just start diligently putting in an entry at least three times a week., I am just not quite sure how exciting an entry about me dragging yet another five bags of yard waste to the curb will be after awhile. I seem to slowly but surely removing things from my yard one by one due much to overgrowth. I am wondering if the garbage men will eventually stop coming to my house.
One thing that got me this week is complete inefficiency that took place when I picked up an item from one of the retail places in here in the area. I bought a set of items from their clearance center back in mid-April. (I know for sure I bought it then because I did not do much shopping after that for some time). Anyways, the items, despite being in the clearance center were not available. They told me it would be about a month. Well a month passed by and the item I guess had not come in to the warehouse. I kind of forgot about it as it was not a big deal item for me as it was a big deal for others – like the women in my life who are not my girlfriend. (PLEASE NOTE – I don’t have one of those either) Well I got the phone call the items came in to the warehouse. I went to pick them up at the warehouse – which happens not to be the location I originally purchased them from. I have the receipt – which I miraculously still had which obviously amazed me. I drive to the location and go to the warehouse area. I give my receipt to the gatekeeper and he informs me I have to go get a bar code. “Huh?” I have to go into the “showroom” and get the bar code.
Well I go in and stand in line at the Customer Service area waiting for what seems like forever. Granted it was 8 o’clock at night but I looked at plenty of people behind the counter and they all simply looked back – GOOD TIMES!!! Finally someone offered to help me and I asked for the bar code while I handed them my invoice. This takes another ten minutes as it seems like some mystery what to do in order to get that bar code. Finally I get the bar code which appears to be close to the Holy Grail at this point.
I drive back to the Gatekeeper’s location and I drive back to drop off area. I back my car in and hand off the bar code. Now I am not thinking those who work in a warehouse would be Rhode Scholars but it yet takes another fifteen minutes to find the items in the warehouse. This as I look at one guy just sitting there “tuning” his mp3 player. Needless to say I am quite exacerbated at this point based on all the circumstances.
While nothing by itself in this experience was appalling, the whole thing put together was certainly a challenge for myself.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Myriad of items
I have not blogged in some time because I have not been that inspired to write about much lately. I guess I could have blogged last weekend about the passing of Tim Russert from “Meet the Press”. We had a lot of similarities. We are both Irish Catholics. We are both big sports fans. We both follow politics though he obviously was way closer than this man. We both revere our fathers and the rest of our families. Lastly, I don’t think Tim was much into styling the hair. That is pretty much the case here. I don’t think I have ever had any gel or hair spray in my hair.
I could have blogged about this temporary diet I was on that did not allow me to eat anything that was dairy, bread or non fresh foods. It would have been even better had I lost a bunch of weight on it but that was not the case. I would have tweaked a few things, wrote a book and been on network television morning shows only using my name “Midwest Gent”. I pretty much maintained my weight. Please caution that I was not on this diet for any weight issues and the health implications are VERY TEMPORARY! We will refer to it as a short status check and all reports are VERY GOOD!
Lastly, I could blog about such things as complaining the Tigers are terrible but that is not the case anymore. I could have pointed out the Pistons should have been the NBA champs but that seems to be old hat and I have no desire to be negative lately. I could have written about Tiger Woods great performance but I am not sure I could put into words that performance he has last week at the US Open.
This all means that I will be probably ranting about something by tomorrow evening - HA!
I could have blogged about this temporary diet I was on that did not allow me to eat anything that was dairy, bread or non fresh foods. It would have been even better had I lost a bunch of weight on it but that was not the case. I would have tweaked a few things, wrote a book and been on network television morning shows only using my name “Midwest Gent”. I pretty much maintained my weight. Please caution that I was not on this diet for any weight issues and the health implications are VERY TEMPORARY! We will refer to it as a short status check and all reports are VERY GOOD!
Lastly, I could blog about such things as complaining the Tigers are terrible but that is not the case anymore. I could have pointed out the Pistons should have been the NBA champs but that seems to be old hat and I have no desire to be negative lately. I could have written about Tiger Woods great performance but I am not sure I could put into words that performance he has last week at the US Open.
This all means that I will be probably ranting about something by tomorrow evening - HA!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
This has made me wonder for some time
I am not going to be long on this one.
Why does someone who lives in the Northern Midwest purchase a convertible and not have the top down on a sunny 80 degree day? You have about four months a year you can even think about it and when the time comes, you don't do it. If I did not see so much of it, I would not ask the question. My wonder never ceases.
Why does someone who lives in the Northern Midwest purchase a convertible and not have the top down on a sunny 80 degree day? You have about four months a year you can even think about it and when the time comes, you don't do it. If I did not see so much of it, I would not ask the question. My wonder never ceases.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The race heats up a bit...
A few random political thoughts this Saturday morning…
I wish the Democrats would have been able to last through the convention as it would have quite the show we as Americans have not seen in years. IT would have shed more light on what in the past was a fascinating political process…
Obama has a real choice in front of him. Does he pick Hillary to be a running mate? If he does pick her is he alienating his own supporters? If he does not pick her, is he alienating Democratic party members that so much believe in Hillary? If he picks Hillary, what does Bill mean to the whole thing? The drawbacks of the primaries going on as long as they did was create a divide in the Democrat party and only the future will determine the width of that divide and the time it takes to close it up.
Other issues with picking Hillary – neither of them have ever lead anything. Hillary only elected office experience was in the Senate which she only really spent about two years doing before she was running around the country campaigning for this election. Obama is no different as his Senate record has no real political accomplishment that the public can deem his own work. Obama’s opponent has only congressional experience but a long history of getting work done which will be promoted during the race.
Another challenge in front of Obama is the limited number of people who don’t know what his vision for America is right now. Even after all the campaigning against Hillary much of it was words and not much else. We as the electorate have been told “Change” but that in the end will mean nothing. What do you tell the people who think there is nothing wrong with the US?
He has spoken about how he will treat the Iraq situation but in the end, the American people will want to know how their security will be maintained from Al Quada as well as other terrorists. Based on his series of comments, the American people for sure don’t know where he stands on this one. Something as equally important is how he will deal with Iran, North Korea, and to a slightly lesser extent, Brazil. Will he sit back and wait for an attack inside US borders?
Domestically, he will be looking to reversing Bush Taxes. This will not be a simple task due to a few reasons. One tax revenues are the highest they ever have been in our country’s history. Next, no one knows what Congress will look like when the next President goes into Office next January. Lastly, will the electorate want to hear from both candidates on how they will address spending?
People will look to Obama to see what he will do to save the economy. (Your author will not stop here to explain why people should not be looking at him or McCain to save the economy)Will he be looking to do a tax rebate again next year? Will he do anything with the sub prime mess? Will he rescind Sarbanes Oxley allowing businesses to operate with less restrictions and let them focus on their core business tasks?
Only time will tell how Obama chooses to handle the heavily focused upon health care issues. He has gone back and forth on what he deems will be the solution. He has stated at one point every American should have health insurance. He has since backed off from that statement simply stating something needs to be done.
Obama has a lot going for him whether it be the reinvigorated black voter supporting him or Young America looking at him to provide the vision they don’t believe they have been given in their life time. He speaks to those who have been going through hard times and gives them hope for the future.
McCain is a tough opponent for Democrats especially this go round. The Democrats have spent so much time pulling the carpet out from their opponent in the primaries they forgot to look to see who is on the other side. It has not been since Reagan that the Democrats have run against such a moderate Republican. Clinton in his years was lucky to some extent when he ran against the conservative Dole as well as Bush Sr. Both those candidates were favorites with conservative Republicans but did not translate well to the moderates as well as independent voters. Saying all that, Clinton barely won those elections, walking away with less than 50% of the votes.
McCain’s challenge will be appeasing to the conservative Republican who has quite never warmed up to him after all these years. At the same time, he will have to somehow distance himself from the Bush presidency which this country has so much disdain for right now. Playing this balancing act, he will have to also reach across the aisle to let Democrats he has a plan for this country that will fit their ideals.
Will Democrats value his military experience and believe in some way he will best for national defense? Will conservative Republicans be wary of what he will do with taxes?
Lastly, who does McCain picks as his running mate? His choice will be watched just as much as Obama since McCain is no spring chicken. Is it important someone is picked who can win the next election? Should be pick a former opponent like Romney? Should he pick someone that is a minority for his ticket?
Regardless of how flawed the process is and how gut wrenching the last few months have been we can now start taking the election of 2008 take shape. The games will begin and only time will tell who is making the right choices or simply at the right place at the right time.
I wish the Democrats would have been able to last through the convention as it would have quite the show we as Americans have not seen in years. IT would have shed more light on what in the past was a fascinating political process…
Obama has a real choice in front of him. Does he pick Hillary to be a running mate? If he does pick her is he alienating his own supporters? If he does not pick her, is he alienating Democratic party members that so much believe in Hillary? If he picks Hillary, what does Bill mean to the whole thing? The drawbacks of the primaries going on as long as they did was create a divide in the Democrat party and only the future will determine the width of that divide and the time it takes to close it up.
Other issues with picking Hillary – neither of them have ever lead anything. Hillary only elected office experience was in the Senate which she only really spent about two years doing before she was running around the country campaigning for this election. Obama is no different as his Senate record has no real political accomplishment that the public can deem his own work. Obama’s opponent has only congressional experience but a long history of getting work done which will be promoted during the race.
Another challenge in front of Obama is the limited number of people who don’t know what his vision for America is right now. Even after all the campaigning against Hillary much of it was words and not much else. We as the electorate have been told “Change” but that in the end will mean nothing. What do you tell the people who think there is nothing wrong with the US?
He has spoken about how he will treat the Iraq situation but in the end, the American people will want to know how their security will be maintained from Al Quada as well as other terrorists. Based on his series of comments, the American people for sure don’t know where he stands on this one. Something as equally important is how he will deal with Iran, North Korea, and to a slightly lesser extent, Brazil. Will he sit back and wait for an attack inside US borders?
Domestically, he will be looking to reversing Bush Taxes. This will not be a simple task due to a few reasons. One tax revenues are the highest they ever have been in our country’s history. Next, no one knows what Congress will look like when the next President goes into Office next January. Lastly, will the electorate want to hear from both candidates on how they will address spending?
People will look to Obama to see what he will do to save the economy. (Your author will not stop here to explain why people should not be looking at him or McCain to save the economy)Will he be looking to do a tax rebate again next year? Will he do anything with the sub prime mess? Will he rescind Sarbanes Oxley allowing businesses to operate with less restrictions and let them focus on their core business tasks?
Only time will tell how Obama chooses to handle the heavily focused upon health care issues. He has gone back and forth on what he deems will be the solution. He has stated at one point every American should have health insurance. He has since backed off from that statement simply stating something needs to be done.
Obama has a lot going for him whether it be the reinvigorated black voter supporting him or Young America looking at him to provide the vision they don’t believe they have been given in their life time. He speaks to those who have been going through hard times and gives them hope for the future.
McCain is a tough opponent for Democrats especially this go round. The Democrats have spent so much time pulling the carpet out from their opponent in the primaries they forgot to look to see who is on the other side. It has not been since Reagan that the Democrats have run against such a moderate Republican. Clinton in his years was lucky to some extent when he ran against the conservative Dole as well as Bush Sr. Both those candidates were favorites with conservative Republicans but did not translate well to the moderates as well as independent voters. Saying all that, Clinton barely won those elections, walking away with less than 50% of the votes.
McCain’s challenge will be appeasing to the conservative Republican who has quite never warmed up to him after all these years. At the same time, he will have to somehow distance himself from the Bush presidency which this country has so much disdain for right now. Playing this balancing act, he will have to also reach across the aisle to let Democrats he has a plan for this country that will fit their ideals.
Will Democrats value his military experience and believe in some way he will best for national defense? Will conservative Republicans be wary of what he will do with taxes?
Lastly, who does McCain picks as his running mate? His choice will be watched just as much as Obama since McCain is no spring chicken. Is it important someone is picked who can win the next election? Should be pick a former opponent like Romney? Should he pick someone that is a minority for his ticket?
Regardless of how flawed the process is and how gut wrenching the last few months have been we can now start taking the election of 2008 take shape. The games will begin and only time will tell who is making the right choices or simply at the right place at the right time.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Late Night - Destiny delayed...
Should have gone to bed but what do I tell my grandkids? I went to bed early before history is about to be made. In a game that everyone would have been talking about for the ages. To have it end on a penalty...what a crime...
Monday, June 2, 2008
Lazy Journalism
So after doing some things this past Saturday, I thought it was a fine time for a nap. I sat down with the remote control to see if there was anything on for a few minutes before I took a siesta. I flipped through the channels on the idiot box to find CNN with some talking head coming back from break. They started out introducing some story showing scenes from Santa Barbara and eluding to the fact that even there housing troubles had taken place. From there, a story was told of people who lost their home due to foreclosure. Specifically they follow a woman was a mortgage notary who is now living out of her car working for $8.00/hr and her monthly Social Security. She lost her condo a few months back when she lost her job and her daughter is living with friends. In her car, she is living with two full grown golden retrievers. There was quick side bar to this story when they showed another woman living in her car with four cats. She is asked what the toughest thing about living in her car and she responds hygiene.
I could sit here and criticize the subjects in the story on their decisions but that has nothing to do with this blog entry.
My issue – even more when I read the written story on their website is why this story was presented in such a sympathetic manner. On the particular program I watched, the host simply stated – with the field reporter next to her - what a sad story. Please note what I viewed is not shown in the linked in this entry.
Why was this presented in such a tale of woe? Of course I know the answer to this question and that is because people would rather be sympathetic to another’s cause especially on the idiot box where it makes for good viewing. Neither the host nor the reporter asked “Why doesn’t the woman move to another area that is not dropping like an economic balloon?” or “Why doesn’t she rid of the dogs?” They don’t inquire why the woman does not contact her children living out of the country know her living status but she goes on CNN. Did anyone inquire why that was the case?
This is a constant trend in television news which is one reason I don’t watch the idiot box. As much as there is on right now, I find it remarkable there is even a market for it based on this very lazy journalism.
I could sit here and criticize the subjects in the story on their decisions but that has nothing to do with this blog entry.
My issue – even more when I read the written story on their website is why this story was presented in such a sympathetic manner. On the particular program I watched, the host simply stated – with the field reporter next to her - what a sad story. Please note what I viewed is not shown in the linked in this entry.
Why was this presented in such a tale of woe? Of course I know the answer to this question and that is because people would rather be sympathetic to another’s cause especially on the idiot box where it makes for good viewing. Neither the host nor the reporter asked “Why doesn’t the woman move to another area that is not dropping like an economic balloon?” or “Why doesn’t she rid of the dogs?” They don’t inquire why the woman does not contact her children living out of the country know her living status but she goes on CNN. Did anyone inquire why that was the case?
This is a constant trend in television news which is one reason I don’t watch the idiot box. As much as there is on right now, I find it remarkable there is even a market for it based on this very lazy journalism.
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