There's One, Only!

Red Lights. They’re not just a good idea, they’re the law.

Had another accident on our corner today. It’s actually been a while since we’ve had one. Not since they finally installed a turn-signal...

But anyways, it seems that the car heading south didn’t bother to stop for the red, and the car heading west couldn’t in time. After trying really hard to disprove the axiom that you can’t have two bodies occupy the same space at the same time, the Explorer (southbound) ended up on the sidewalk (almost took out the stop- light pole) and the mini-van (westbound) ended up in the middle of our parking lot, between the gas pump islands.

I didn’t see anything. I was inside the building at the time. But these things happen enough that we’ve all learned to react to the sound. A quick run outside to the two cars and we checked to see if anyone was hurt. Fortunately, everyone was wearing their seatbelts, but the airbags going off in the mini-van bruised up that driver pretty good. (And she may have had a slight concussion from the airbag. I went back to work as soon as the emergency vehicles got there, but I overheard her telling an EMT that her vision was a little blurry…)

Interesting fact: I got to make the first real call (not counting the couple to myself to see if it was working) on my brand-spankin’-new cell phone a call to 911.

All in all, it could have been worse. The woman and her son in the southbound car didn’t seem to be injured at all. And for all the damage to the mini-van, (Front smashed all the way to the windshield. All the radiator fluid, transmission fluid and oil in the engine on our driveway…) that driver seemed to escape with mostly just some bruises.

But back to the whole point. Keep both eyes on the road! All the time! Please.

Theft

Yesterday, I had my computer bag (along with my notebook computer, mp3 player and a pile of cds... among other stuff) stolen at work.

It was in what was thought a relatively safe place. But unfortunately, there's a real @#@*$ walking around my town. And yesterday he must have walked into our store. And while no one was paying attention, stole my stuff.

Lessons Learned:

1. Nothing is safe if you're not watching it. No place is safe if there is any access to it.

2. Don't trust that people won't be @#$%#s if given the chance.

3. Get the Computer Rider on your HomeOwner's Policy. (My insurance deductible is over $1000. Keeps my premiums low. But means that the cost of my computer is less than the deductable... ) A Computer Rider drops that deductable to about $100 for any computer loss. For about $8 a year increase in your premiums... Kinda a no-brainer in 20/20 hindsight.

4. Back up everthing! I never did. Figured that my computer wasn't gonna break down, so I wouldn't need to. I was right on the first half of that sentence. Wrong on the second. I don't think I'll ever fully recover what was lost... pictures, music, things I've written.

5. Keep documentation. I have no idea what the serial number was on the computer. So even though the Police (The officer who came to take the report was very nice and courteous and very helpful. But also understandably not too optimistic about recovery.) may find the scum who stole my stuff, with the stuff in his posession, without a serial number, they may not be able to PROVE that it's mine. (By the way, does anyone know if HP would have that information? I'm sure I registered the computer online when I bought it a year ago, but I've had no luck getting through their phone system. I'll try again tomorrow...)

Fortunately, I'm sort of in the position that financially, I was able to replace the computer on my own. In fact, if I can ever get used to Vista, this computer will be a quantum leap up from what I had. (Sam's Club has some very nice computers by the way... Unfortunately, everything runs Vista now.) But this is definately not the circumstances I wanted around my computer upgrade.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.

On this Memorial Day, I wish that I could say how much I appreciate the sacrifice that so many have made so that I could live in this wonderful country. A sacrifice that I know that I have done nothing to deserve, and can do nothing to earn. But one that was made freely.

So on this day, remember those who gave all so that you and I might have the freedoms that we cherish so much. Hug a vet. Place flowers or a flag at a fallen hero's grave. Weep a little at what was given up on our account. Remember them.

And remember the words of a truely great man. One who also was humbled at the cost of freedom. But who would not let their sacrifice be wasted.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

-Abraham Lincoln. Gettysburg, Pensylvania. November 19, 1863.

A little help?

My family's Convenience Store has started putting in a bakery. To make a long story short; a local baker (who we bought all our rolls and pastries from already) fell out with her landlord and needed a place to set up shop. We were able to giver her space in our store.

Where we need a little help is coming up with a name for this new bakery section in the store. We don't want to put the family name on it because we already have it all over the other parts of the business. And it starts to get a little old when you have (as and example only, and not my family's real name) Smith Car Wash, Smith Gas Station, Smith Detailing...

The bakery is leaning mostly towards cookies and pastries right now, but could expand to making almost any kind of baked goods.

So far the some of the name suggestions are:
Rosemary's Pastries and Pies (Rosemary is the baker)
Pastries and Pies by Rosemary
Heavenly Pastries and Pies
Creekside Baked Goods (We're on a bank right on a large creek. But not quite a river)
Sugars and Starches (One of my goofier suggestions)

Anyone have any better ideas? If you make one and my family likes it, I will personally mail you a box of cookies! (Flavor to be determined by the winner.)

UPDATE: I was just informed that my family wants to make sure that Rosemary's name is incorporated into any name we use, so as to make sure we keep as many of her old customers as possible.

But I really love the responses I've gotten so far! Not to mention how many great suggestions there have been.

Thank You.

For all those who've been so warm-hearted, I'd like to repeat something I left in Harvey's comments.

Thanks for the kind words. Mostly, I think I've been depressed watching Slinky go. It didn't feel like I was doing him any good - and I blamed myself for him getting old and dying.

And then of course, I extrapolated that into not being able to see any good in anything I've done. Stupid, I know. But I'm real good at beating myself up that way.

I know I'm going to be sad for a while. Unfortunately, I can't see the "but" that should join that sentance with something a little more hopefull.

Thanks again for all the kind thoughts and words.

Maybe I'll be able to be funny again tomorrow. I know I've got a PGHA and a meme floating around in my draft bin somewhere...

Rest In Peace, Slinky (1999-2006)

Slinky the Wonder Ferret passed away last night. He was a good ferret. And I believe he lived a happy life.

He had been doing very poorly these past few days, and although he had shown some signs of improvement, I knew he was getting old. I knew this day would come when I brought him home, but it still hurts. And I know he was just an animal, but hopefully he's happy and in a better place.

I just wish I could have been a better owner, and spent more time with him. I'm going to miss the little guy. A lot.

The worst part of grief is not having someone to hold and share it with. I guess that's why God seems to have made us halves of a whole. So we'd have someone there, physically, to lean on when things hurt.

But I'm going to just curl up into a ball for a while and lick my wounds.

Happy Birthday Grandma D!

Today is my Mom's Mom's birthday. She's 82 years young.

Unfortunately, none of the lotto tickets I gave her were winners... But she still liked the card. (And just to let everyone know, if she had won I wouldn't have asked for any of the prize. Personally, I think it's really tacky for gift givers to expect the recipient to share a lotto prize. But that's just my oppinion I guess...)

We had a nice spaghetti dinner at her house. (My Mom cooked it, so of course it was great.) And we went through some of my late Grandfather's photo albums from WWII. He passed away when my Mom was young, so I never got to meet him. I really regret that. He was a short man, and was therefore a tail-gunner in either a B-25 or A-25. (My Dad couldn't quite figure out which from the pictures.) He served first in Lybia, and then in Sicily. One of the bombers had over 50 mission stencils on the nose. Plus 3 fighter kills.

I really wish I had met him.

I have to talk to my Uncle about scanning all the pictures and captions from the albums some day.

But anyways, Happy Birthday Grandma! (Even though I know she'll never read this, it's the thought that counts.)

On the Second Day of Christmas...

Since it's the second day of Christmas, I thought I'd look up what that seemingly silly song is about... And it actually has a lot more meaning than I thought.

Here's a good site that has the origins of the Twelve Days of Cristmas, and what the song's lyrics really represent.

Enjoy!

They finally got married!!!

Frank J. and SarahK (is she going to change her name from SarahK to SarahF now?) finally got married yesterday deep in the heart of Texas.

One of the intrepid bloggers who attended the festivities was able to put up a bunch of pictures of the wedding over at IMAO. So, if you haven't already done so, go on over and take a look. And maybe leave a congrats in the comments...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just want everyone to have a safe holiday weekend. And if you could, think about the things you really are thankfull for. Just for a moment or two between courses...

Enjoy dinner everyone!

An ad

Up at the top of the page here, right below the Amber Alert ticker, I put up an ad for SaveSomeGeorges.net An online shopping portal where you can get up to 40% cash back when you shop at many Name Brand on-line stores.

You should check it out! It really does work, and you really can get cash back on on-line purchases.

Now, I'm not getting anything for this. But when you sign up through that link, it credits my Blogless Father's account. And he could really use some subscriptions. It'd really cheer him up.

It's totally free to sign up. I've even used it myself to buy some stuff through OfficeMax. So I can attest to it working.

Thanks in advance for checking it out!

It's Veteran's Day

So if you can, hug a vet. Thank them for everything they've done.

(This is one of the few times where I feel alright hugging another guy...)

I think I've posted this before, so I'm putting it in the extended entry. But here's the lyrics to Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus. It's a song that says just about everything there is to say about our vets, and what they gave for us.

Some Gave All

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all

Hey, LISTEN UP!

To all of you people who think that the gas station is trying to rip you off because you see $0.03 on the pump when you start pumping:

That's happening because when you squeeze the handle before your pay-at-the-pump credit card swipe has gone through, you're draining the hose. Nothing shows up on the display yet, because the pump is still talking to the bank's computer. Then, sometime after you've stopped futily trying to get gas and let go of the handle, the transaction finally goes through. The pump will re-charge the hose at this point, since you are determined to be able to pay for your gas. And since you're no longer holding the pump handle, SURPRISE, you see that you've been robbed! Of 3 cents!

It's actually in your car already!!!!!!!!!

Either that, or the last person to use the pump figured out how to turn off the pump while the nozzle is still in his or her car and stole the three cents. But no matter what, the gas station did not.

Gas stations have their pumps checked every year by the Department of Weights and Measures. At great expense to the station, I might add. And are in fact, completely unable to modify any of the dispensing or measuring equipment.

And since they're only making about 6 cents a gallon (About 2.5 cents per dollar) and your credit card company is charging them up to 4 cents on the dollar for the transaction (after you factor in the per transaction charge of 15 to 20 cents), please don't hang the pump up and demand your 3 cents. Doing so costs the station a lot, and makes the person behind the counter (if it's not some pimply faced kid who doesn't care if the business goes under) very annoyed. If you're nice about it, they will usually hand you the 3 cents over the counter when you're done pumping. With a smile.

But don't come in all self-righteous about 3 or 4 cents. You'll look like an idiot. And yes, they will talk about you after you leave.

/rant

Happy Birthday!

To the U.S. Marines. 230 years old and still kicking butt!

(And I forgot to send a card...)

Oh no, we're not going to run out?

Found something really interesting while browsing some of Michelle Malkin's posts. This article by Michael Fumento has a lot of good info on oil sands. And how much of it there is.

That reminds me of something else I came across quite a while ago. Changing World Technology has developed a process that can change any organic refuse into light crude.

And best of all, both of these are very economically feasible.

Cool stuff, eh?

Rest In Peace

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist died last night at his home.

Some are already noticing a bit of a slant in his obituaries...

(Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds on this one.)

Satellite Imagery

Here's a link to a satellite photo that Harvey's blogless niece Sarah dug up for him.

NEW YORK (AP) - The Associated Press is offering Internet access to a satellite image that covers most of New Orleans, detailed enough that viewers can zoom in to check on particular neighborhoods and streets.

The image's resolution is high, at 2.4 meters per pixel. It is posted in a format that allows quick viewing of any area a user zooms in on. Users can quickly see what areas are under water and what structures are still standing.

The initial image was taken Wednesday and supplied by the company DigitalGlobe. AP will offer updated satellite images as they become available. The image is available at:

http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_national/neworleanssatellite/index.html

It helps give you an idea of the utter devastation that has occurred in New Orleans.

Yay!

Discovery just touched down with no problems. They're home.

Yay!

They got to them in time! Although there were a lot of confusing reports on how much air the trapped crew of the Russian Submersible had left, apparently it was enough.

I just hope that they don't suffer too many effects of being down at those pressures for so long. The Bends are a really nasty way to die. But I know that the rescuers had provisions set up for all of those problems.

In any case, to the handlers of the British unmanned rescue craft, great job!

Book Review: War Pilot

I'm in the middle of reading War Pilot by Richard Kirkland. I picked up my copy in a discount book bin, but I would recommend it even at full publisher's prices.

It's a great read. It contains a series of short stories about Kirkland and others he met and knew in both WWII and Korea. Many are funny, and not a few are serious. But you get to see into the lives of men who were sometimes risking their lives in combat, and sometimes risking their lives flying missions of mercy into combat zones.

Kirkland was one of the worlds first helicopter pilots, and he has some wonderful insights into the birth of the medevac. (Personally, my favorite story so far was an entire helicopter rescue base, stuck miles from regular supply runs, firing their side-arms at an airplane that forgot to put a parachute on the crate of eggs it had just dropped on them.)

Normally, when I read a book I like, I don't say too much about it. I can't ever remember writing a review about one (at least not since my book report days back in high-school). But this is a really good book that I would recommend to anyone. Take it from a guy who reads almost incessantly, this one is worth your time.

Remember, it's a Battle Flag.

London.

I've been away from my computer all day, so I haven't been able to comment on the tragedy in London earlier today.

These attacks were both vicious and cowardly, and the perpetrators deserve to be hunted to the ends of the earth.

All of our prayers are with the people who were injured, and the families of those slain.

I just wish I could say more...

The Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war. . .testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated. . . can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate. . .we cannot consecrate. . . we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. . .that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . . and that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . . shall not perish from the earth.

-Abraham Lincoln

A song for Memorial Day Weekend.

Arlington

I never thought that this is where I'd settle down,
I thought I'd die an old man back in my hometown,
They gave me this plot of land, me and some other men, for a job well done,
There's a big white house sits on a hill just up the road,
The man inside he cried the day they brought me home,
They folded up a flag and told my mom and dad, we're proud of your son

And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done,
I can rest in piece, I'm one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight,
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay,
And when we finally found that cross,
He said, "Son this is what it cost to keep us free."
Now here I am, a thousand stones away from him,
He recognized me on the first day I came in,
And it gave me a chill when he clicked his heels, and saluted me.

And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done,
I can rest in piece, I'm one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

And every time I hear twenty-one guns,
I know they brought another hero home to us

We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done,
We can rest in peace, 'cause we are the chosen ones,
We made it to Arlington.

Yeah, dust to dust,
Don't cry for us,
We made it to Arlington.

- Trace Adkins

Yay!

My grandmother was released from the hospital earlier this afternoon. She improved so well, that they let her go home three days earlier than their initial estimate.

Thanks for everyone who prayed for her!

A Request

While my Father has recovered from his bout with the flu, my Grandmother's recovery was coming along a lot slower. So, earlier this morning she went to one of her doctors for another visit. He heard something that he didn't like, and sent her to the Emergency Room.

After what seemed like an awful long silence from my Aunt who took her there, she called and we finally found out that my Grandmother has pneumonia and is being admitted into the hospital.

I know that this is less severe than the heart disease that everyone started imagining when we were told that she was going to the E.R., but pneumonia is still a dangerous illness. So again, any prayers for her recovery would be greatly appreciated.

On a slightly lighter side, any get well cards emailed to me at vze3jcj8-at-verizon-dot-net will be printed up and forwarded.

A Request

My father and my grandmother have both been pretty sick this weekend. They seem to each have a good case of the flu, but it may be developing into pneumonia. They both have doctor's appointments in the morning.

We would greatly appreciate any prayers that anyone would make for their health.

(If you happen to have a spare moment, I could use some prayer for strength as well. I'll be pulling double shifts at work until everyone is back on their feet.)

UPDATE: Dad's doctor said he has a virus. So, he's on heavy meds right now.

On a side note, when I was in the office doing some of his work this morning, I discovered a dead pigeon in a wall-space. If that had died early last week, it may have contributed to the problem.