My favorite niece and her husband are coming to visit today. We expect them to arrive by about 1:00 pm. We have no plans, in particular, other than to visit, do our normal weekend errands, and just hang out. I do plan to avoid going to the office, at least until after they head back home tomorrow afternoon or evening.
This morning, I spent about three and a half hours updating my neighborhood association's website, though I don't quite know why. The site gets very little traffic and the neighbors don't seem to give a shit. They don't even acknowledge that it's there. The information I have been uploading does not seem to be appealing to them...contact information for local merchants, schedules for city trash and recycling pickup, information on the local media, city services phone numbers, etc. But, what the hell, I find the information useful, myself, so if they don't want to use it, that's their call. However, I'm tempted to just move the information to a personal website where I can get access to the information. That really wouldn's serve any purpose, though, since they never visit the website, anyway. Creeps.
Last night, our neighborhood Ethnic Night Out group was down to four...my wife and I, along with another couple. We had Italian food. As we talked, I realized how little I know about my neighbors...who they are, what they do, etc. And they seem to like it that way.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Democrats' Worst Mistake
Today's email message from the Democratic National Committee made me cringe. And then I wrote a very unflattering email back to them, expressing my outrage at what they are doing and informing them that, if they follow through with what they suggest, I will sit out this year's presidential election. What made me so angry?
First, the message suggested the John McCain is absolutely, certainly going to the be Republican nominee. Hey, folks, despite how things look today, they can change! But that's not what got me so riled up. What really, truly upset me was the request that I contribute financially to their plan, which is to tell-all about John McCain's flaws, bad decisions, anti-democratic votes in the Senate, and god knows what else. That is, their plan is to behave like Republicans behave: like angry, ill-informed, stupid, attack-dogs. Rather than focus on the Democrats' message, these imbeciles want to focus on the Republicans' flaws. In a nutshell, they want to "Swift-Boat" John McCain. I am not a John McCain fan; I find his politics repulsive, especially his unnatural adoration of war. I oppose him on virtually every front.
If the party that is trying to make me one of its own behaves just like the bastards it opposes, I'm done. I will not cast a vote for a Republican, of course, but I won't support the candidate of a party that behaves like Republicans, either. I expect Democrats to at least try to present a facade of honor, integrity, and genuine caring for the American people and the American systerm of government. If that party descends into the nasty tactics of the right-wing nutcases that populate Republicanism, that party loses me, and so does its candidate.
In case it's not obvious, I am utterly and completely fed up with the way the Democratic National Committee presented itself to me today. Needless to say, their request for my donation was refused, in no uncertain terms.
First, the message suggested the John McCain is absolutely, certainly going to the be Republican nominee. Hey, folks, despite how things look today, they can change! But that's not what got me so riled up. What really, truly upset me was the request that I contribute financially to their plan, which is to tell-all about John McCain's flaws, bad decisions, anti-democratic votes in the Senate, and god knows what else. That is, their plan is to behave like Republicans behave: like angry, ill-informed, stupid, attack-dogs. Rather than focus on the Democrats' message, these imbeciles want to focus on the Republicans' flaws. In a nutshell, they want to "Swift-Boat" John McCain. I am not a John McCain fan; I find his politics repulsive, especially his unnatural adoration of war. I oppose him on virtually every front.
If the party that is trying to make me one of its own behaves just like the bastards it opposes, I'm done. I will not cast a vote for a Republican, of course, but I won't support the candidate of a party that behaves like Republicans, either. I expect Democrats to at least try to present a facade of honor, integrity, and genuine caring for the American people and the American systerm of government. If that party descends into the nasty tactics of the right-wing nutcases that populate Republicanism, that party loses me, and so does its candidate.
In case it's not obvious, I am utterly and completely fed up with the way the Democratic National Committee presented itself to me today. Needless to say, their request for my donation was refused, in no uncertain terms.
Monday, February 4, 2008
People Who Deserve the Best
When things go sour for people, even people you don't know, you tend to be upset. You tend to be more emotional and more likely to be surly, I think, than in situations in which everything is alright. Things are not sour for me. But I've heard too much about personal traumas and tragedies today to feel good about life. Today's a day of wishing for the best for people who deserve it.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Icy Weather Clutching China
I've been reading about the horrific winter storms that are pounding China. The Chinese have mobilized 306,000 soldiers, according to China Daily. It's mind-boggling to read about and watch video of tens of thousands of people surge toward train stations, trying desperately to get home for the Lunar New Year to be with their families.
Crowds get so congested and so big that people with small children lift them above their heads to protect them from the crush of people around them. Children are separated from the parents in this way, but that is better than being crushed in a surging crowd. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the country, from on board a train in disaster-hit Hunan, ""We have the faith, courage and ability to overcome the severe natural disaster."
I've not seen any serious coverage of the situation in China by American media, though at least the problems are being acknowledged. Engish-language media in China, though, are reporting that people are being advised to abandon their travel plans to be home during the holiday. The snow and ice are the worst in more than fifty years, they say, An article online in Al Jazeera reports that "About 260,000 people wanting head home for the Lunar New Year holiday have besieged Guangzhou station waiting for days to travel."
There was a story from January 25 of a man who saved 44 passengers from a long-distance bus that had become stuck on a snow-bound and ice-bound highway. He went to the bus, which was on a section of highway that was built to keep pedestrians off, broke through the guardrail and fencing, and led the passengers to his home. There, he arranged for food and wate for them and gave them a place to sleep. From the video, it looked very, very cramped (44 people in my home would be very, very cramped), but the passengers were ecstatic that he saved them.
Huge cities are either partially of completely without power, thanks in part to the fact that trains and trucks laden with coal cannot get to the electricty generating plants (coal is used to power many such plants in China).
Crowds get so congested and so big that people with small children lift them above their heads to protect them from the crush of people around them. Children are separated from the parents in this way, but that is better than being crushed in a surging crowd. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the country, from on board a train in disaster-hit Hunan, ""We have the faith, courage and ability to overcome the severe natural disaster."
I've not seen any serious coverage of the situation in China by American media, though at least the problems are being acknowledged. Engish-language media in China, though, are reporting that people are being advised to abandon their travel plans to be home during the holiday. The snow and ice are the worst in more than fifty years, they say, An article online in Al Jazeera reports that "About 260,000 people wanting head home for the Lunar New Year holiday have besieged Guangzhou station waiting for days to travel."
There was a story from January 25 of a man who saved 44 passengers from a long-distance bus that had become stuck on a snow-bound and ice-bound highway. He went to the bus, which was on a section of highway that was built to keep pedestrians off, broke through the guardrail and fencing, and led the passengers to his home. There, he arranged for food and wate for them and gave them a place to sleep. From the video, it looked very, very cramped (44 people in my home would be very, very cramped), but the passengers were ecstatic that he saved them.
Huge cities are either partially of completely without power, thanks in part to the fact that trains and trucks laden with coal cannot get to the electricty generating plants (coal is used to power many such plants in China).
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I Need Your Advice
I need your unbiased advice. Really.
My car, heretofore known at The Bastard, is a 1997 Toyota Avalon with 164,000+ miles on it. A year or so ago, maybe 2 years, I spent about $6,000 getting some major issues addressed: new shocks, struts, engine mounts, air conditioning compressor, lots of internal "stuff," etc.
I did not do anything about the leather interior. Now, the front seats are in truly horrible condition. Cracked leather that goes beyond cracking and into slits all the way through. Ugly, painful when I'm wearing shorts, etc.
With the massive infusion of cash, I was told the car should last "a long time." It's comfortable, but not truly plush. It needs rear shocks, as evidenced by loud screeching noises when I go over bumps, especially in cold weather.
If I spent about $1,500 now, I could get the seats replaced with leather kits that, I've been led to believe, look very good. I could also get other cosmetic stuff done within the same $1,500. Essentially, it would look like a relatively nice, new car, with a few scrapes and scratches. The interior would still look worn, even with new seats, but it would not look terrible.
The question: should I invest the $1,500 in the hopes that I can make The Bastard last another couple of years? The transmission, though showing no signs of failure, could go at any time; I've done nothing to it. The brakes could fail, as I've never replaced the major components of the brake system. Various other components of the car could crater at any time. But I have no reason to believe any of them will not last.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Sell the monster and buy a new (or used) car, or keep it until it becomes utterly unreliable? I'm fighting new car fever, but I'm not sure it's an appropriate fight. I need someone else to think about this for me.
My car, heretofore known at The Bastard, is a 1997 Toyota Avalon with 164,000+ miles on it. A year or so ago, maybe 2 years, I spent about $6,000 getting some major issues addressed: new shocks, struts, engine mounts, air conditioning compressor, lots of internal "stuff," etc.
I did not do anything about the leather interior. Now, the front seats are in truly horrible condition. Cracked leather that goes beyond cracking and into slits all the way through. Ugly, painful when I'm wearing shorts, etc.
With the massive infusion of cash, I was told the car should last "a long time." It's comfortable, but not truly plush. It needs rear shocks, as evidenced by loud screeching noises when I go over bumps, especially in cold weather.
If I spent about $1,500 now, I could get the seats replaced with leather kits that, I've been led to believe, look very good. I could also get other cosmetic stuff done within the same $1,500. Essentially, it would look like a relatively nice, new car, with a few scrapes and scratches. The interior would still look worn, even with new seats, but it would not look terrible.
The question: should I invest the $1,500 in the hopes that I can make The Bastard last another couple of years? The transmission, though showing no signs of failure, could go at any time; I've done nothing to it. The brakes could fail, as I've never replaced the major components of the brake system. Various other components of the car could crater at any time. But I have no reason to believe any of them will not last.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Sell the monster and buy a new (or used) car, or keep it until it becomes utterly unreliable? I'm fighting new car fever, but I'm not sure it's an appropriate fight. I need someone else to think about this for me.
No Curmudgeon
The day is starting out better than the previous few have begun. It's 44 degrees and there appears to be no rain falling outside. Soon, I'll shower, shave, and set out for another day with clients. This day, I'll do my very best to be cheerful, nonjudgemental, and generally positive. Today, I'll not be the curmudgeon.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Contempt of Client
My dinner with clients tonight was in the sort of place I like to avoid: a chain restaurant with a "theme" that ostensibly appeals to families and the socially and gastronomically uninitiated. Tonight's meal took place at SaltGrass Steak House, a Texas chain restaurant that serves up more evidence of upsell-trained staff than good food. It's not awful, just moderately unpleasant.
The waitstaff is jolly, jolly, jolly and the young guys and gals seem genuinely interested in making one's night a spectacular event, assisted by a personal slave and servant...until you see their faces after they turn away from the tables. Then, you can read their thoughts: "What the fuck am I doing working in this goober-joint, chit-chatting with these slovenly, middle-aged dimwits who deserve neither my service nor my acknowledgement, much less my humble and way-too-vocal appreciation?" Or something along those lines. Some of the waitstaff may not be bright enough to have such thoughts, but you can read them in the faces of most of them.
My guests were perfect examples of the people for whom the waitstaff have such contempt. They were giddy with laughter, slow to understand the menu, full of questions that would not have been asked had they read the menu, and far too impressed with the advertised food for my liking ("Geez, looky here, they've got prime rib! This must be a pretty upscale place! I've never seen prime rib on an actual menu! I've only seen it advertised on TV."). I took it all in stride, though, even the little power-show during which the president mentioned getting wine, to which the treasurer responded that it had always been their policy not to buy alcohol. In end, a group of four of them bought booze and the president picked up the tab. I stayed out of it.
Fortunately for me, the dinner was very early, so I was out of there by 8:30 pm. I'll be back again tomorrow morning, bright and early, to share breakfast with them, followed by a meeting during which many concepts beyond their meager intellectual capacities will be discussed and placed on hold for further study. I mentioned contempt a few moments ago...I wonder if my attitude about the client would be considered contemptuous? Yeah, probably.
The waitstaff is jolly, jolly, jolly and the young guys and gals seem genuinely interested in making one's night a spectacular event, assisted by a personal slave and servant...until you see their faces after they turn away from the tables. Then, you can read their thoughts: "What the fuck am I doing working in this goober-joint, chit-chatting with these slovenly, middle-aged dimwits who deserve neither my service nor my acknowledgement, much less my humble and way-too-vocal appreciation?" Or something along those lines. Some of the waitstaff may not be bright enough to have such thoughts, but you can read them in the faces of most of them.
My guests were perfect examples of the people for whom the waitstaff have such contempt. They were giddy with laughter, slow to understand the menu, full of questions that would not have been asked had they read the menu, and far too impressed with the advertised food for my liking ("Geez, looky here, they've got prime rib! This must be a pretty upscale place! I've never seen prime rib on an actual menu! I've only seen it advertised on TV."). I took it all in stride, though, even the little power-show during which the president mentioned getting wine, to which the treasurer responded that it had always been their policy not to buy alcohol. In end, a group of four of them bought booze and the president picked up the tab. I stayed out of it.
Fortunately for me, the dinner was very early, so I was out of there by 8:30 pm. I'll be back again tomorrow morning, bright and early, to share breakfast with them, followed by a meeting during which many concepts beyond their meager intellectual capacities will be discussed and placed on hold for further study. I mentioned contempt a few moments ago...I wonder if my attitude about the client would be considered contemptuous? Yeah, probably.