Sunday, December 31, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 6:03 AM
For cryin' out loud this is Michigan, and STILL no snow.
Damn you Global Warming!!!
I bet you that is the first thing people are thinking of in Denver right now too, that damn Global Warming....
How dare it drop 2 feet of snow on them in Denver in one night....
Damn Global Warming....
Hope they are bundling up and yes, Diana Joy, that means you and your bunch also. If they are getting too rambunctious, send them out to shovel.
[Child]: "Mom?" [Mom]: "What?" [Child]: "I wanna .... " [Mom]: "You want to do what?" [Child]: "MOM, I WANT TO.... " [Mom]: "Oh you want to shovel the driveway!" [Said as Mom walks away] [Mom]: "Sure, no problem, shovel is by the back door.... "
We parents can be so cruel at times.
[chuckles]
But hardwork is a character builder, because you don't stop working till your either retired or you win the lotto....
And kids are too young to retire, and I sure don't see them with money from the lotto!!!
[chuckles]
Anyways, needed something to blather on about, since it has been rather slow and humdrum with nothing really going on, so blogging has been a bit light.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 12:51 AM
- All the presents are unwrapped and we have recovered from the Christmas meal.
- The refrigerator is stocked to over flowing with leftovers.
- A few gifts were returned that were needing an exchange.
- Said goodbye to family that was visiting.
- Still have no snow, sadly, not even a light coat for Christmas.
- Kids are getting used to the new toys, and Night time sleeping seems to be getting back to normal.
- Unfortunately my back is still very messed up, and I have gone to Chiropractor a few times during this week. Looks like I may have some problems with the lower portions of my spine being out of place that they are working to corrrect. All I can say is, for the love of God someone give me a Vicodin!!!! This is VERY painful.
Oh, one more thing, heat is NOT a good thing to put on it. I used a heating pad for maybe 30 minutes on a low setting thinking that it would help relax the muscles. Oh my ever lovin' God did I feel like a cripple when I tried to roll off the bed and yes, I mean ROLL OFF, because I couldn't sit up to save my life. When I did manage to get to my feet the pain was so intense it almost dropped me to my knees. I managed to hobble my hurtin' butt to the freeze and threw an ice pack on my back, which after a few minutes it did feel "slightly" better. Slightly is being the optimum word for it.
There is a product I was given a sample of called Biofreeze, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is similiar to Bengay, but seems to be MUCH more effective, and the smell goes away after a few and it is not greasy or will it stain. I need to see where I can buy it, since I can see it is sold off of Amazon.com, I believe it might be sold in the health stores.
So as the Christmas holiday comes to a close, and we begin contemplating taking down the decorations and the tree, we come to the close of another year, and the new one about to start here shortly.
I sincerely hope for all of us, not just my family, but all of us, that this year is better than the last and filled with happiness and joy.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 4:26 AM
I want to take this time to wish all who stop by a very Merry Christmas.
I wish to share with You Santas's Prayer....
Santa's Christmas Prayer By Warren D. Jennings
The sleigh was packed, the reindeer were fed, But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.
"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight. There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.
I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky, Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.
I will visit each household before the first light, I'll cover the world and all in one night.
With sleighbells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof, Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.
To get in the house is the difficult part, So I'll slide down the chimney of each little heart.
My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes. The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track. I'll eat every cookie that's left for my snack.
I can do all these things Lord, only through You, I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.
All this is to honor the birth of the One, That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob, Please Lord, remind them, who gave me this job."
So hang your decorations on the tree with care, for Santa brings to you the best of wishes and a hope that you care for that which the season truly is about.
Show the Love in your heart for your fellow man and woman. Take this time to greet someone you have never met with a smile and a cheerful Merry Christmas.
Let others see the season's warmth shine through you, because it is not in the presents we get, but in that very special gift that we got from that one very special person, Jesus.
So take this time to bring some happiness to one another, take pleasure in their smiles and laughter. Let peace and goodwill wash over you and flow out like a river to encompass your loved ones and even the strangers you meet.
So to one and all, I send to you this message all around the world.....
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 12:12 AM
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck... How to live in a world that's politically correct? His workers no longer would answer to "Elves" "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves And labor conditions at the north pole Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety Released to the wilds by the Humane Society And equal employment had made it quite clear That Santa had better not use just reindeer So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The runners had been removed from his sleigh; The ruts were termed dangerous by the E P A And people had started to call for the cops When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened"
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows Rudolf was suing over unauthorised use of his nose And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation Demanding millions in over-due compensation
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz Demanding from now on her title was Ms
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion That making a choice could cause so much commotion Nothing of leather, nothing of fur Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her Nothing that might be construed to pollute Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot Nothing that clamoured or made lots of noise Nothing for just girls. Or just for boys Nothing that claimed to be gender specific Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific
No candy or sweets ... they were bad for the tooth Nothing that seemed to embellish the truth And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden For they raised the hackles of those psychological Who claimed the only good gift was ecological
No baseball, no football ... someone could get hurt; Besides; playing sports exposed kids to dirt Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe; And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away
So Santa just stood there, dishevelled, perplexed; He just could not figure out what to do next He tried to be merry, tried to be gay But you've got to be careful with that word today His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground; Nothing fully acceptable was to be found
Something special was needed, a gift that he might Give to all without angering the left or the right A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision Each group of people, every religion; Every ethnicity, every hue Everyone, everywhere ... even you So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth ... "May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth"
Let us hope that it never comes when Christ is no longer part of CHRISTmas.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 12:11 PM
I have been absent in posting for a bit due to difficulting sitting because of a slipped disk in my back.
But I ran across this in my normal readings of the news each day that just shocked me...
School accuses 5-year-old of sex harassment
HAGERSTOWN - A kindergarten student was accused earlier this month of sexually harassing a classmate at Lincolnshire Elementary School, an accusation that will remain on his record until he moves to middle school.
Washington County Public Schools spokeswoman Carol Mowen said the definition of sexual harassment used by the school system is, "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and/or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others."
Mowen said that definition comes from the Maryland State Department of Education.
According to a school document provided by the boy's father, the 5-year-old pinched a girl's buttocks on Dec. 8 in a hallway at the school south of Hagerstown.
Charles Vallance, the boy's father, said he was unable to explain to his son what he had done.
"He knows nothing about sex," Vallance said. "There's no way to explain what he's been written up for. He knows it as playing around. He doesn't know it as anything sexual at all."
The incident was described as "sexual harassment" on the school form.
School officials consider a student's age and the specific action when determining what administrative action to take, Mowen said.
....
School administrators at a Texas school in November suspended a 4-year-old student for inappropriately touching a teacher's aide after the prekindergarten student hugged the woman.
....
She described the incident as a "learning opportunity."
....
During the 2005-06 school year, 28 kindergarten students in Maryland were suspended for sex offenses, including sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual activity, according to state data. Fifteen of those suspensions were for sexual harassment.
Ok people, we are talking about KINDERGARTENERS here, not junior and senior high schoolers. What are they, 5 years old in many Kindergartens?
Is this what we are teaching children nowdays? Be afraid to hug someone, be afraid to touch someone in a playful manner (ie. punching, hitting, pinching, ect.)?
My 2 year old pinches me. So what!
I have seen little boys kiss a girl on a cheek, I have seen two little girls (2yrs old) kiss each other goodbye. Both my children, 2 and 4, need a hug and a kiss before I or my wife leaves.
Children do not think of sexual harrassment, adults do.
They are forcing adulthood rules and expectations on children.
Do you really think a child who pinches the bottom of a girl is thinking sex?
Inappropriate touching when a 4 year old hugs a teachers aide?!?!? Are you freakin' kidding me? A HUG?!
Do you really think that children at this age are thinking of sex?
Most are still in the age of "Ewww its a girl, don't touch her you'll get cooties" mentality. As for the child who pinched the bottom of the girl, I can bet it was an adult that reported it not the little girl. The little boy was most likely trying to antagonize the little girl when he pinched her.
And as for the stupid comment of the woman who calls this a "learning opportunity", perhaps it should be a learning opportunity for the adults to let kids be kids and quit pushing adult rules and responsibilities on children who know that their privates are for going to the bathroom with and most likely very little else concerning that area.
Kids will rough house, and I have the bruises to prove it. The boys will pinch and hit girls, the girls will tease and push the boys. They will blame each other for starting it.
That hardly constitutes sexual harrassment.
By trying to force children into the world of adult PC actions, you are teaching these kids it is wrong to be affectionate. You teach them giving a hug is bad, and treat them like a sexual predator at 5 years old?
Way to go teachers....
Way to help create the next stage of uncaring, repressed, emotionally disturbed children.
Let kids be kids.
- They want to give you a hug, hug them.
- They want to give you a kiss, have them give you a kiss on the cheek.
- They want to pinch, teach them that pinching is not nice, and punish them if they do it again.
Things like these hardly warrant sexual harrassment charges against a 5 year old child. They have a basic sense of right and wrong, and most likely don't consider that "wrong".
Growth and Development, Ages Four to Five—What Parents Need to Know
Understand what is good and bad (though they may not understand why) and be able to follow the rules
Continue to express emotions physically and to seek hugs and kisses
Touch their genitals for pleasure
Feel curiosity about everything, and ask about where babies come from and how they were born
Feel curiosity about bodies and may play games like doctor
Feel sure of their own gender and have the ability to recognize males and females
Begin to recognize traditional male and female gender roles and to distinguish these roles by gender
Become conscious of their own body, how it appears to others, and how it functions
What Families Need to Do to Raise Sexually Healthy Children
Help children understand the concept of privacy and that talk about sexuality is private and occurs at home.
Teach correct names of the major body parts (internal and external) and their basic functions.
Explain how babies "get into" the mother's uterus.
Encourage children to come to them or other trusted adults for information about sexuality.
Link While I don't believe a teacher needs to discuss some of the things above unless given permission by the parents, I do think that children at this age are learning, and to slap them with sexual harrassment is just plain ignorant on school and teachers.
All these schools and teachers are doing is making themselves look real bad in my opinion.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 7:20 PM
Here it is Friday and I feel totally wiped.
For those that normally come through and read you will notice the lack of a renter for now; this is purposeful since I have not been able to devote sufficient time on the blog this week to give a renter their moneys worth. So I opted to forestall renting for a short time till I get more time to blog.
Thursday I called off work and went to the Chiropractor. It was getting so bad that I could barely get up out of chairs, and when walking my right leg would buckle. The spasms were the worst though, almost as if I could feel my heart beat in my spine itself.
I go into this Chiropractors office for the first time and they had me fill out the forms for first time patient. I didn't fill out half of it cause it seemed like it was information that they didn't need to know.
Things like:
- wifes name and occupation. - my home number, cell number, work phone, email... - my childrens names and ages
I just don't feel that if I am the patient, that I need ot fill out all that. The home phone yes, but email and my work number?!?!?
No.
Anyways, side-tracked here...
I get in there and the woman Chiropractor has me go through range of motions after I describe where and how I am feeling. I am very descriptive, being a troubleshooter at work, I run through symptoms, where the pain is localized, what hurts, and when.
The range of motions wasn't overly bad, letting her know when I hurt and how badly. The worst was when she titled the table back up so I could get down and when my feet got to about a 45 degree angle (like it you stood still and leaned forward) I had shooting pains in my lower back. Fun. I would have rather broke my arm or foot than go through this pain.
Next came x-rays; I found kind of strange they would have a minature xray machine in their office. Seven x-rays of my spine and neck. I left later on and melted the snow as I walked the sidewalk....(joking).
Back to the table, where the Chiropractor tells me that I have a thinned disk at the base of my spine (Lumbar region - L5), which is twisted out of place, and putting presure on the nerve, and the muscles around the disk are swollen and irritated causing the spasming.
It made sense now that I look at this chart, since L5 is right where my pain is first of all, and if you look closely, it affects lower legs, ankles and feet. When severe pain hit that area my leg would buckle.
It worries me that that section seems to be reduced, or degenerated.
After a bit of Chiropractic care, some popping of the spine, I was told to keep ice that section for like 5-10 minutes every hour. I definately had more mobility and not as much pain as before, where I would walk and gasp and grunt every few steps as if being stabbed in the back with a knife.
I left the Chiropractors and went directly to Walmart where I picked up a decent back-support for the lower back. It helps having presure on that section so I don't get as severe pain there anymore when I walk.
Today, Friday, I decide to go into work. I probably should have rested more, but I am a stubborn ass I guess.
Brace on all day under clothes (felt like I had a push-up bra on - pushing eveything up making my chest bigger than normal. Maybe that was my imagination though - and I can only imagine that is what a push-up bra does - unless someone wants to go into detail and describe it to me, female perspective and all ...purely for scientific purposes though *winks*), and brought an ice-pack with me which I wrapped in a kitchen towel I brought with me, putting it where it hurt the most while I worked.
Long day.
I am home now; back is more sore than painful at the moment.
Relieved wife of the kids, watching them while she lays down for a bit. But later on, a nice hot bath or shower is in order....
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 9:51 AM
Been a little under the weather for the last couple of days.
I have no clue on how I did it, but managed to throw my lower back out to the point where if I put weight on my right leg when walking my back spasms and it buckles my right leg as I walk.
Sitting was doing me wrong also. I am fine while sitting, but as soon as I try, and the operative word is try, to get up, my back would spasm or feel like someone was trying to push a metal rod through my lower back, causing me to arch backwards and have to force my way halfway up by pushing my body off the chair with my arms.
I was popping Tylenol and Aleve left and right with no real relief.
Wife put a large patch on my lower back, that is suppose to help with the pain, but then later on went to remove.....and I believe she had WAY to much pleasure ripping off that patch (size of both hands put together) off my lower back, ripping off hair in the process and causing me to yelp and literally crawl up on the table.
I am going to see if I can get into the chiropractor or the doctors this afternoon. I ended up calling off from work because there is no way I would be able to be useful at work if I can barely get in and out of a chair and walk....
I have found some relief by rolling a bathroom towel tight, placing it on my lower back as support and then taking two belts and cinching them extremely tight around my wait putting pressure on my lower back. It does help, making it easier to get up and to walk without buckling my leg.
I have thought about this and I think my daughter Drama Queen did this to me.....
I put her down for a nap, and lay down next to her to get both kids to sleep, and she went to sleep sideways on the bed. I took a brief nap myself, and figure that she probably had her feet or knees in my back during the time we slept, because a short time after getting up, my back steadily got worse.
No, I don't blame her. Besides she probably had her feet on my back to keep them warm.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 10:52 PM
I am a big fan of the new TV show "Heroes."
It goes beyond what I have normally seen on movies where we only have a little bit of background on the newly emerging hero, most likely due to time constraints of the movie itself, where it does jump right into the fight, newly attained super-powers blazing away. No, Heroes takes it deeper inside and delves deeper inside what it means to be a hero; how they feel, the trials and tribulations they go through figuring out their powers, their confusion, how it turns their life upside down, the freedom it gives them at times, and how scary it is for them.
The only super hero movie that came close was Spiderman, which gave us glimpses of the background and how he went through things in his life, but nothing of major substance, again, most likely because of movie time constraints.
There was a short-lived tv show called "The Greatest American Hero" that was probably the best in trying to portrait the fumbling and bumbling through trying to figure out his "super-powers", which in this case came from the suit itself:
Los Angeles high school teacher Ralph Hinkley encountered an alien spacecraft while on a desert field trip and was presented with a red costume with unique superpowers. The suit looked like a pair of tight fitting red pajamas with a black cape and bestowed fantastic powers (flight, incredible speed, telekinesis, clairvoyance, invisibility, invulnerability from bullets and super strength) to this blond, mild-mannered high school teacher. The aliens had chosen Hinkley because he matched their profile of someone having the qualities of "moral character, idealism and integrity."
Unfortunately, before Ralph got the hang of the suit's abilities, he lost the instruction book that came with it. He spent the rest of the series clumsily fighting evil as he tried to unlock the many mysteries of this extraterrestrial costume.
But with Heroes, we are given several individuals who are slowly being drawn together (masterfully worked), they are discovering their powers, confusion is the most prevalent reaction as they try and figure out what is happening to themselves, from the teenage cheerleader that can't seem to be killed or hurt (story revolves around her - "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World") to the Japenese man who can freeze time and travel through it (realizing also at this point he hits and misses when traveling) and learning of their own responsibilities that they are becoming aware of.
This is definately a show I have become hooked on. It is well put together, draws you into the lives of the characters and what they are going through, the feelings, decisions and paths they take.
The show revloves around the theme "Save the Cheerleader - Save the World", in which the cheerleader who cannot seem to be hurt or die (she has fallen off buildings, burned herself, even had a branch stuck through her neck to heal it all back to normal), is some how linked to a disaster that is soon to happen five weeks in the future, where a terrible explosion (nuclear by the looks of it) blows up the city.
Which brings me to the my current thoughts......
If you had a super power, what would you "prefer" to have (we never get what we truly would like - it just doesn't work that way) and how do you think you would handle learning about your power (practicing with it, testing it), and do you think it would be a gift, or a curse?
Think of Invisibility... Many would think it would be great to have no one see you. Think of the things you could do or see when no one knew you were there. But also think of the movie the Invisible Man / Hollow Man where he found he could not return back and be seen again. What would it do to YOUR mind?
There is an episode of the Twilight Zone I believe that dealt with this also, where a man was able to turn himself Invisible, and caused all sorts of trouble. He was invisible and forgot that he was and was struck by a truck while crossing the street because the truck did not see him. He laid by the side of the road dying, still invisible, while many remarked on how bad the area was beginnning to stink.
So, where some would say this power of invisibility would be great, and neat, I doubt the two above would consider it so, in fact, it might have been a curse to them instead.
Perhaps Flying?
How would you test it?
As you got braver and flew, aside from being so far up in the air, and being probably scared out of your mind since we as human beings normally fly in machines (airplanes) or have parachutes to cushion us as we waft back to earth on the breezes; what would you do if you lost your concentration, your fear took over and you were no longer able to fly - while being a thousand feet in the air?
I remarked on another blog that posted a similiar question about how I would love to be able to breathe underwater and to withstand the crushing depths of the ocean so I could explore a whole new world that has never been explored before.
But what would happen if at such depths that ability faded? Or if I found out that I no longer could walk on land again, but only could breathe in the water and not air? Would it be such a great thing or a curse?
What makes something great can easily be turned into a curse.
But just remember that the flip is true, what may feel like a curse, could be a gift in disguise.
Go check out my tenant, Self-Proclaimed Supermom, and see what she has been up to.
She only has 10 hours left as my tenant as of this posting, so head on over there and peruse through her blog and see what she is about.
While I have my quick moments of anger with the outside world, with drivers, with my wife and even with my children; I have NEVER even entertained the thought of harming them or anyone else.
I am a somber person who keeps a crushing grip on his emotions so they do not get away from me. Some would call me distant, aloof, perhaps even snobbish if they didn't know me.
What they don't know is I fear my rage.
I am a very peaceable man unless attacked. I will not start a fight, I will go out of my way to avoid one, even if I must walk away and seem the coward.
I am far from it.
I have been in only one fight in my life (high school), and that fight scared me on how much rage I contained and was about to let loose...
I was in welding class, each student has their own booth. Essentially heavy rubber-type tarp material that separates each student as they weld so as not to spark all over the place. I had set up my booth for arc welding, which if I remember correctly (been ages since high school), it pushes DC current through a metal type rod that conducts when it touches metal creating extreme heat to melt metal to weld with. I had set up the booth and had everything set when this punk who was a bit bigger than I was tried to take over my station, and when I wouldn't leave like he wanted, he picked up my arc welder (the arcing portion that melts metal) and began waving it at me, and the last thing I remember was if that hit any metal on my body it is going to arc with flame that can sear through metal, and my body is not as hard or as resistant as metal is....that is the last thing I remember thinking, after which my mind went blank. Not blank as in no thoughts, blank as in darkness, I don't remember seeing or doing anything...
Until the darkness lifted, and my mind cleared where I could think clearly. When that happened I was caught in something like a bear hug, my head in the pit of his stomach, him bent over me with his arms wrapped around my waist pleading with me to calm down.
I remember being filled with insurmountable fury, nothing I have ever felt before, a darkness in me that tapped a primal rage in me that I never knew existed before. I felt no pain; I did not feel his arms around me trying to hold me back. All I felt was a fury that needed utterance; his weight was nothing to me in my fury, and as I came out of the blackness I could feel a strength born of fury had filled me, because as I came out of that darkness and realized what was happening, I was preparing to literally throw him across the room by surging upwards with incredible strength and with him over top of me he would have been hurled away (similar to a judo flip).
Thankfully I seemed to snap out of it, and realize what was happening and clamped down hard on that rage that filled me. The strange thing is this all happened in silence, because no one came in and it happened fast.
When I finally peeled my antagonizer off me, I noticed he was bleeding from the nose pretty badly and his eye was darkening fast. He left quickly after we had separated.
It frightens me that I blacked out and had no conscious realization or thought of what I was doing when that happened. How far would I have gone? At that moment, did I care how far I would go?
I keep a firm grip on my emotions now.
Anger is one thing, I get angry, I get grumpy and even testy......but I have never since then allowed myself to be drawn to that point of uncontrollable fury. God help the person that brings that back out.
I met my brother not long ago, (we were separated at a young age when parents split- never knew each other but that is another story) and I was told about my brother's fury. I never thought about it until just as I was writing this.
My brother is tall and wiry (works outside alot), was always antagonized by his neighbor, and if I remember correctly this neighbor thought it would be funny to squirt my brother with the water hose and the next thing this neighbor knew he was flat on his back with blood streaming from his nose, and my brother just staring at him. From what I was told, this neighbor was scared, not of a fight, but for his life, because he said when he looked in my brothers eyes he saw a look he will never forget for the rest of his life. He swore that he thought my brother was going to kill him.
My brother is probably the nicest man I have ever known, and would go out of his way to help and give the shirt off his back. It is strange, for all that time and distance between him and I, both our families (his wife, sisters, ect and my wife, ect) have said that him and I are very much alike.
I fear that darkness and what can come out of it........
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 5:20 PM
Not much going on at this time, just the usual work and home stuff. So it has been a bit hard to come up with anything blogworthy.
Just a run down on some of the things happening:
- The lake outside our apartment is frozen over.
- Caught Comedian dancing in front of the TV to Thomas the Train music.
- Caught Comedian teasing the Drama Queen by taking her plate of food. The little bugger did it with a smile too.
- Drama Queen is turning into the world's biggest tattler for her brother the Comedian. "Mommy....Daddy, guess what Comedian is doing...."
- Comedian has begun his routine of sneaking out of bed and peeking around the corner.
- Wife is enjoying her new early Christmas Present that her brother bought with my input. Never seen a family member give such an expensive gift, especially on her side of the family which aren't known for giving gifts, especially to her.
- Christmas tree has been put up and decorated.
- Apartment has been decorated. Christmas stickers in the windows and decorations around the apartment.
As for work, well, it will be an interesting week, since engineers have not responded to my request for diagrams and information for the various customer information I need to put together, and the boss essentially has said find whatever means you can to get the information, even if you have to do it yourself. Which I think is retarded in a way, because I am working on getting customer information put together on systems that are not "in house", and i have no idea how their systems are put together or any information that is associated with it. I have never seen it or even worked with it.....so just how the heck am I supposed to "do it myself?"
But that is work, and that is how it goes at times.
[sighs]
I wish I could win the lottery and spend my time with the kids all day. Least when they make rediculous statements or ask for something stupid, I can say your not being realistic. Can't exactly tell that to your boss, well, you can, but not if you don't want to keep your job very long.
Reminds me, I need to play the lotto tommorrow.
Enough of my bellyachin' about work, and what is happening on the home front....
Check out my tenant, Self-Proclaimed Supermom, and see what she has going on her Annual Holiday Festivities.
And read as she "pimp[s] my favorite goos"; for all you face painters out there, you might be interested.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 5:25 AM
There was once a man who lived in a large mansion in rural Connecticut. He lived there with his family: his wife, and two sons.
He had inherited the home from relatives and it had been in the family for many, many years. They all lived there happily for several years, and the man watched the children grow and the family blossom. Being the father of two boys was not an easy job, but the man persevered and taught his boys to be strong, honest and to always have faith.
On one fateful day a terrible tragedy took place. His eldest son was killed in an accident. The family was stricken with grief, they pulled their strength together and carried on with the loss of their loved one.
Several months later, a close friend of the man's son came to the mansion with a gift for the man. To the man's surprise, his son's closest friend had painted a portrait of his late son.
"I wanted him to always be near his family and those who loved him dearly. I painted this portrait as a gift for you."
The man and his wife were so touched they hung the painted above the fireplace for all to see.
Years passed and the man held fast as each of his loved ones passed on. As he himself grew weary, he realized that he no longer had a family to leave his worldly possessions to. Death drew closer and he decided to draw up another Will. After he had passed it was decided that his estate would be auctioned off, due to a lack of any other relative to leave it to. Soon after, an auction was set and people from all over the country and world came to bid on this poor man's belongings.
Everyone assembled in the main room of the home and the auctioneer banged his gavel to begin.
He announced the first item, "An original painting by a close friend of the family. It has hung above the fireplace for many years." The auctioneer revealed a very plain painting of a young man about 20 years old. It was dusty and worn from the years. "May we have a starting bid of $500?"
Shocked that no one had bid, the autioneer lowered the bid, again and again.
"Shall no one bid on this lovely work of art?"
Suddenly a shabby fellow from the back of the room stood and said, "I'm just here to watch. I ain't rich or nothing, but I'll give you $50 for that painting."
All was quiet as the auctioneers voice rang out, "50 then. 50 once, twice, sold to the man in the rear of the room. And this concludes the auction."
One after another, the people stood and demanded that the auction be finished.
"You can't do that!" said one man. "What about everything else?!?"
"I'm sorry", shouted the auctioneer, "But the man's Will is very clear..."
"...Whoever gets the son, gets everything."
This was sent to me a long time ago in my email, a Heartwarming Story in the title.
I have kept this for many years, I don't know why.
It really did touch my heart.
So, in this I share with you, and in some of you, perhaps it will touch your heart.
You will have to excuse me now, while I go hug my wife and children......
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 11:40 PM
I really hate stupidity.
Oh I am sure I have my moments also, but nothing frustrates me more than intentional or blatant stupidity.
Alot of times I run into this while driving, things like:
The Drifters (The, I don't have a clue what a turn signal is)
The Chatter Disease (Paying more attention to the cell phone than the car they are about to side swipe!)
The Turd Farmer (My name for those that suddenly swerve in front of you in the fast lane [you doing 75, they doing 55], causing me to slam on my brakes and then do 10 miles less than the speed limit!) Fast Lane means go fast. Learn where the heck the gas pedal is. Here in Detroit, the Major highways are loaded with people, and Many of our philosophies on the highways are: Drive it like you stole it!!! Most around here drive like they have a destination in mind and not out for a Sunday drive.
Or the stores, like Walmart:
30 people waiting in line to cash out, and they have ONE cash register open. HELLO?!?! Want to buy a clue?
Only takes cash (not Walmart in this case). In the day in age of credit cards and you do not take credit cards at all? Upgrade. Say it with me, U-P-G-R-A-D-E to credit cards, because I don't carry alot of cash. In some places you just don't want to wave around cash so as not to get robbed.
Or work place:
When I come in to work, quit taking up two friggin' computer stations. I don't know what your doing, but I need to begin working. Don't sit there and continue to work at my station while you know I am waiting. Your not even our IT person, so why are you messing around in the registery of my computer and others? Yes, yes, I know you know alot about computers, but between IT upgrades and your messing around with our computers, I feel like I am working on an old 386 because it sure is running slow enough now. You want to work on your computer, fine, stay the hell off mine.
Don't tell me to do something, barely look at my results and tell me I am wrong, because of some supposed "master" sheet in the back. That master sheet is done up by another person, who as in this case, had it wrong. And while your quick to jump on my ass about when I am wrong, how about a word or two when me or anyone else that works for you does something right!
Ah, calls I get from techs in the field that need help. I could write a book on the assortments. I love you all so much. Really. You have called me to help YOU, but insist on telling me how to do my job in how to help you. There is a kind of irony in this don't you think? If you already know what I should do, what the hell are you calling me for, you already know everything?!?
Oh, let's not forget mr chatterbox who is too busy talking on another line when I answer the phone to acknowledge me. This dial tone is for you.
Mr Socialite tech. I understand it is a wonderful day, and you are giving me what the weather is like where your at, and how many places you have been fixing things, and how your feeling today with the sniffles, or a cold, and that it is a long drive back and you had to be up early today to get to this place....and after you fill me in with all this, not that I can get a word in edge-wise, but when I finally do and ask you for your store location, you suddenly can't remember where your at! I am all for pleasantries AFTER we get the problem fixed and we can pat ourselves on the back all we want, but until then lets stick to getting things up and running shall we? I probably have another few techs waiting for me to answer the phone to help them also.
For all these and more, Bill Engvall sums it up nicely: Here's Your Sign!
Enjoy.
Bill Engvall is great, one of my favorites, as is Ron White. You get a chance give them a listen.
My tenant this week is Self-Proclaimed Supermom, and I am sure she has run into her share of stupidity also.
Go on, I am sure you want to go check her out.
Well, not in THAT way, but to see what she has posted up on her blog. Not to say she isn't a looker and wouldn't get a double take in passing...but...
Ah hell, just click her damn link before I insert both feet in my mouth will ya!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 5:38 PM
This is the scene in Chicago today.
Chicago O'Hare Airport cancelled all flights today.
Farther up north in Michigan, approximately 4.5 hours in Alpena, the Credit Union I am a member of closed down 3 hours early because of "inclement" weather.
My guess, it was bad up there too.
Now down here in the suburbs of Detroit we mainly just got rain, rain and more rain.
I think we lucked out.
We will see later on tonight or tommorrow, supposedly we are 'suppose' to get an inch. Not seeing it yet.
I think the heat from the city seems to push the weather around us, or maybe it's because the weather itself is scared to go into Downtown Detroit that it goes around..... [laughs]
I get in and get a call as soon as I sit down, and he tells me to research a customers circuits (T1, 56k, ISDN) that are still active for this customer.
No Problem.
I research the Circuit Database and notice how many circuits there are, five.
I consult the Master Sheet in the back to make sure the information is correct, and find some that are not matching.
So I go and PHYSICALLY trace out the circuits coming from the Fiber rack, where it leads to through the patch panels and down to what equipment, verifying what is active, what equipment this customer has, and what is connected to it.
Once done I email my findings, broken down, section by section, to my boss and then print him a hard copy and give it to him.
[Boss]: (barely glances at hard copy) [Boss]: This isn't right, you better go check the sheet in the back. (Master sheet) [Me] : (Thinking this is BS, but goes anyways.)
I double checkthe master sheet, RE-confirm what I already knew was right, but double checked it JUST INCASE I may have been wrong.
I was right, and I knew it.
Lead Tech comes up and hands me a diagram for that customers network that shows I am right even more.
I make a copy of the "Master" Sheet (which is suppose to be always correct, but wasn't this time), and I highlight the incorrect information posted on the master sheet, highlight my notes on what was active, what wasn't and what equipment was there and what was connected to it. I then highlight the fact that the circuits that he thought were still active; the equipment that they ran to were no longer even physically hooked up.
He didn't look at it because he was busy on his phone, but had me go put it on his desk.
I have heard word one back about it since then.......
Funny how you hear back about something when your wrong within seconds of the boss finding out, but find out you were right and the boss was wrong, you can hear the crickets chirping.
I bet you that is the first thing people are thinking of in Denver right now too, that damn Global Warming....
How dare it drop 2 feet of snow on them in Denver in one night....
