Chuck's been here a while; we've got the NV presentations done, I've baked a cake for the potluck, have everything all set up to be put into the car tomorrow morning.
He's just had a call from his "backup date," and is headed out now. I'll be here watching more episodes of Angel, it seems and trying to get enough sleep tonight.
I got my wireless print server installed and working today all by myself! Well, with E's help walking me through.
Four loads of laundry today. Did some cleaning up. Mailed off some stuff. Have some bags of trash to take out. Need to vacuum. Chuck just noticed the mass of Barney hair on the carpeting. And twigs and leaves from Jackie. Hm. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."
Just found an INCREDIBLE brand new Phaeton in West Palm - white with Sonnen Beige 4 seat! It's just singing to me. Yep. I've copied over the pictures, changed my screen savers, and generally sworn my loyalty to the concept.
Watching "The Sand Pebbles" tonight. My blood sugar has been as high as an elephant's eye lately. Urg. I'm reading Depok Chopra's book about health. It's very interesting - but, I'm not yet finding anything that's new than what I've already read by other authors. Of course, I haven't yet gotten to the second half where he discusses creating good health.
Watched "Before Stonewall" last night. It was poor production quality, but Harry Hay, Ginsberg, all kinds of historic gay figures. WOW. I had forgotten that we used to be arrested just for being in a "bohemian" bar. That the police would show up and arrest everyone inside.
What was really fascinating was that there was all this archival footage of the NYPD arresting and harassing gay people, and then the State of New York paid for this movie in 1986.
Just read an article that CP sent me about the Fed starting to lean on commercial real estate lending. It's very interesting. read here He's asking "how do we make money if this is the case?" An excellent question.
Ruby's butt is jacked up with the air shocks. I think that there's something wrong with the .. sensors or the .. whoozies and it's causing her to ride hard and break shocks. It is nice to have functional brakes again, though.
This movie is interesting. How on earth did it seem reasonable to us to try to control China in this fashion?
Listening to CP tell me how we're going to have all this work coming in. Oh my. I hope so, that would be lovely.
So, it seems that guns is willing to train me, and is willing to do it for much less. He's willing to start on Monday. He wants to be my "date" Monday at Berryhill's anniversary party, and .. such.
Okay, it's time to vacuum and then get ready for bed. Laundry to fold. The rest of this movie to watch. Church in the morning.
DJHJD
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Hump day dynamics
Funny, this post has been sitting here for nearly six weeks unfinished. This was right about the time that I got really derailed, I think.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Tuesday turmoil
God love Chuck. He came over tonight to hang out and watch DVDs with me. This day requires some TLC.
Things seemed like they had started off so well today. Lunch with Ben was wonderful. Then, I came home and - disaster. My afternoon was all planned out - balance checking account statements, four business tax returns - and it was ripped away. I don't know that I've ever been completely speechless before. I know that it was the first time in my life since I have cohesive memory that I had no idea what to do next.
It took four hours to straighten my emotional state out, and then another hour to recover a sense of equalibrium.
So, I guess that it remains to be seen whether I have lost any business from this, but I certainly lost a half days' productivity. There's more waiting in my "in" box to be processed, but I think that I'll wait until tomorrow morning to deal with that.
Ruby's still up on a jack - AutoZone had to re-order her shocks and they won't be in until tomorrow morning. The brake pads are easy enough - only $20.00.
Had a call today from a student from last fall - they want me to do book keeping for them. Hopefully, Ruby will be ready for me to make that meeting tomorrow night. They have five months' worth of accounting to do right away.
Not a word out of the guy who was supposed to come work on stuff for my two websites and help me with my mortgage books. What is it that has people just utterly avoid their promises and then expect you not to notice?
Still working on the land loan that I've been working on for seven months.
Things seemed like they had started off so well today. Lunch with Ben was wonderful. Then, I came home and - disaster. My afternoon was all planned out - balance checking account statements, four business tax returns - and it was ripped away. I don't know that I've ever been completely speechless before. I know that it was the first time in my life since I have cohesive memory that I had no idea what to do next.
It took four hours to straighten my emotional state out, and then another hour to recover a sense of equalibrium.
So, I guess that it remains to be seen whether I have lost any business from this, but I certainly lost a half days' productivity. There's more waiting in my "in" box to be processed, but I think that I'll wait until tomorrow morning to deal with that.
Ruby's still up on a jack - AutoZone had to re-order her shocks and they won't be in until tomorrow morning. The brake pads are easy enough - only $20.00.
Had a call today from a student from last fall - they want me to do book keeping for them. Hopefully, Ruby will be ready for me to make that meeting tomorrow night. They have five months' worth of accounting to do right away.
Not a word out of the guy who was supposed to come work on stuff for my two websites and help me with my mortgage books. What is it that has people just utterly avoid their promises and then expect you not to notice?
Still working on the land loan that I've been working on for seven months.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Monday, Monday ver. 733.01
Nothing like a day that starts off with N8 stopping by at 0800. I was cleaning up the floor after Barney's created quite the huge mess - from the laundry room door to the baby gate. He started drinking at 10, and was drunk out of his mind by 2:00 - he started yelling at people - oof. Just was wondering where things were going to go.
That boy is a tortured soul.
His presence did make me quite productive inasmuch as I was trying to do nearly anything to get away from him .. while he sat there and peppered me with disconnected questions and phrases.
Rosita gave me some drink mix for people with diabetes - I mixed up a big pitcher and have been working with it. Not having food after 4:00 anymore - I hope. It's tough. I hope this stuff isn't terribly expensive, 'cause I can see that I'm going to be going through it pretty quickly.
Barney, after spending the morning in the laundry room, was busted loose by N8 who spent a half hour badgering me about how horrible I was toward Barney - he's been without his blue hood since this morning (he made a horrible mess of it in the kitchen) and he's been okay with it so far.
The Phaeton that I want has been sold. On a good note, it's been sold to a guy who buys cars and only keeps them for six to twelve months - it's really the one that I want, and I'm thinking that this is the universe's way of hiding the car from the world for a few months until I'm ready for it. Of course, I could make MORE money and buy an A8L with the four seat package. With that car, I could get the nifty refrigerator in the rear seat. Plus, it has bluetooth.
And, in the meantime - do I keep it going with Ruby, or buy a new car? I'm attracted to a VW TDI - either a Jetta or a Beetle. The Beetle is about 10% cheaper, and I could put Ruby's custom stereo into it. Advantage has a gray one with an automatic.
Ruby's in the hospital - left rear shock broke and she needs brake pads. This means a trip to Auto Zone tomorrow, and hopefully this will cure some of her issues. But. I'd really rather have the A8 or the Phaeton, and give Ruby to my brother in Grand Rapids.
And, I'd still probably buy the TDI to drive to and from Clear Lake.
My Treo is rebooting itself over and over. I think it's time to call the manager of the Sprint store again.
That boy is a tortured soul.
His presence did make me quite productive inasmuch as I was trying to do nearly anything to get away from him .. while he sat there and peppered me with disconnected questions and phrases.
Rosita gave me some drink mix for people with diabetes - I mixed up a big pitcher and have been working with it. Not having food after 4:00 anymore - I hope. It's tough. I hope this stuff isn't terribly expensive, 'cause I can see that I'm going to be going through it pretty quickly.
Barney, after spending the morning in the laundry room, was busted loose by N8 who spent a half hour badgering me about how horrible I was toward Barney - he's been without his blue hood since this morning (he made a horrible mess of it in the kitchen) and he's been okay with it so far.
The Phaeton that I want has been sold. On a good note, it's been sold to a guy who buys cars and only keeps them for six to twelve months - it's really the one that I want, and I'm thinking that this is the universe's way of hiding the car from the world for a few months until I'm ready for it. Of course, I could make MORE money and buy an A8L with the four seat package. With that car, I could get the nifty refrigerator in the rear seat. Plus, it has bluetooth.
And, in the meantime - do I keep it going with Ruby, or buy a new car? I'm attracted to a VW TDI - either a Jetta or a Beetle. The Beetle is about 10% cheaper, and I could put Ruby's custom stereo into it. Advantage has a gray one with an automatic.
Ruby's in the hospital - left rear shock broke and she needs brake pads. This means a trip to Auto Zone tomorrow, and hopefully this will cure some of her issues. But. I'd really rather have the A8 or the Phaeton, and give Ruby to my brother in Grand Rapids.
And, I'd still probably buy the TDI to drive to and from Clear Lake.
My Treo is rebooting itself over and over. I think it's time to call the manager of the Sprint store again.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Sunday evening thoughts -
Church today went great. The work everyone did was great.
Afterward, Chuck and I went to Barnaby's - the service was stinky, and Michael the beefy ex-marine waiter was an exercise in studied indifference. The waiter we had was DREADFUL. He ignored us the whole time we were there until it was time to bring us the check. We had dealt with the shift manager the whole time, and she took care of us. The waiter needs to find some other line of work, I think.
After, we went looking at some houses for Chuck to rent - we found the PERFECT Chuck pad, which was great - it's gorgeous. I wish it were MY house to rent. But, who am I kidding, I don't want to leave my neighborhood.
After we did all that, we headed out to the Tiajuana Wal-Mart at West Rd. Urk. It was dreadful, but we did stock up on dog food.
Watched the movie "Sneakers" tonight - it was very cute.
I have to get on the ball tomorrow morning. AND, Ruby's broken another rear shock. These shocks from AutoZone appear to be worthless. My computer help is starting to act flaky again; I've advertised on craigslist for someone; we'll see what happens.
Time for more internal work, I think. Who knows.
Afterward, Chuck and I went to Barnaby's - the service was stinky, and Michael the beefy ex-marine waiter was an exercise in studied indifference. The waiter we had was DREADFUL. He ignored us the whole time we were there until it was time to bring us the check. We had dealt with the shift manager the whole time, and she took care of us. The waiter needs to find some other line of work, I think.
After, we went looking at some houses for Chuck to rent - we found the PERFECT Chuck pad, which was great - it's gorgeous. I wish it were MY house to rent. But, who am I kidding, I don't want to leave my neighborhood.
After we did all that, we headed out to the Tiajuana Wal-Mart at West Rd. Urk. It was dreadful, but we did stock up on dog food.
Watched the movie "Sneakers" tonight - it was very cute.
I have to get on the ball tomorrow morning. AND, Ruby's broken another rear shock. These shocks from AutoZone appear to be worthless. My computer help is starting to act flaky again; I've advertised on craigslist for someone; we'll see what happens.
Time for more internal work, I think. Who knows.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Friday evening -
Bizarre. Curtis (from three years ago) started calling tonight, the married guy who was saying he wanted to meet up started calling; both phones were ringing one after the other. Crikey.
Dinner was at the Hobbit cafe - which was good (food wise) and disappointing (service wise.) I'm just wiped out, mostly. Chuck is snoozing on the sofa, Jackie's snoring on the floor and Barney's in the laundry room. We're screening another crappy movie - with the Owen brothers in it. Chuck's not too engaged in it; he's just snoozing. I've been surfing for Marvin stuff (and hoooo boy did I find some) and otherwise occupying my time with mindless research. I did find a FABULOUS 2006 VW Beetle TDI manual white with WHITE upholstery. Very fun.
I think I'm going to take the dogs outside and see what quick end to this movie can be created.
Dinner was at the Hobbit cafe - which was good (food wise) and disappointing (service wise.) I'm just wiped out, mostly. Chuck is snoozing on the sofa, Jackie's snoring on the floor and Barney's in the laundry room. We're screening another crappy movie - with the Owen brothers in it. Chuck's not too engaged in it; he's just snoozing. I've been surfing for Marvin stuff (and hoooo boy did I find some) and otherwise occupying my time with mindless research. I did find a FABULOUS 2006 VW Beetle TDI manual white with WHITE upholstery. Very fun.
I think I'm going to take the dogs outside and see what quick end to this movie can be created.
Friday reflections
It's 18:30, and I'm waiting for a tax client coming at 19:00. His stuff is all done, and he just needs to pick and pay. I should probably vacuum before they get here.
I've been working through all day today - not laboring intensively or anything, but just getting it done all day. I pumped out about 15 pieces of mail, got a bunch of paper off my desks, got myself lined out for future work, did some cleaning and organizing, found that Max sells recycled toner cartridges for my printer at $20 off retail, blah, blah, blah. Tomorrow needs to be another very productive day.
I determined today that my favorite client is NOT the same person that I had nudie pics of from someone in New Orleans. Well, I still think it's him, but he says it's not. He did admit to being friskier in his youth. That was, of course, only a few years ago.
Yesterday, if I blogged, I had a call from the lad with the 18" biceps. He brought over his GORGEOUS girlfriend; she has an amazing figure, great hair, beautiful face, everything going on - for a loan application. While she was sitting there talking to me about her loan, he was making eyes and trying to flirt (marketing?)
Anyway, today, I called over there to tell her that I had worked up her loan and was sending her a packet of information - he answered (and his name is NOT Will, according to the DPS) and blah, blah asked if I was going out tonight? No, not that I know of. I did allow that he could call later if he chose to.
Okay, tax client here, gone and paid. Now, is the married guy coming by (as he says he is,) or should I just go hit dinner with Chuckeroo?
Dinner wins. Chuck wins. Enough already.
I've been working through all day today - not laboring intensively or anything, but just getting it done all day. I pumped out about 15 pieces of mail, got a bunch of paper off my desks, got myself lined out for future work, did some cleaning and organizing, found that Max sells recycled toner cartridges for my printer at $20 off retail, blah, blah, blah. Tomorrow needs to be another very productive day.
I determined today that my favorite client is NOT the same person that I had nudie pics of from someone in New Orleans. Well, I still think it's him, but he says it's not. He did admit to being friskier in his youth. That was, of course, only a few years ago.
Yesterday, if I blogged, I had a call from the lad with the 18" biceps. He brought over his GORGEOUS girlfriend; she has an amazing figure, great hair, beautiful face, everything going on - for a loan application. While she was sitting there talking to me about her loan, he was making eyes and trying to flirt (marketing?)
Anyway, today, I called over there to tell her that I had worked up her loan and was sending her a packet of information - he answered (and his name is NOT Will, according to the DPS) and blah, blah asked if I was going out tonight? No, not that I know of. I did allow that he could call later if he chose to.
Okay, tax client here, gone and paid. Now, is the married guy coming by (as he says he is,) or should I just go hit dinner with Chuckeroo?
Dinner wins. Chuck wins. Enough already.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Tuesday developments
Went to the doctor's for my monthly visit; their BG meter reads about 30 points lower than mine does; I guess I need to check and see about recalibrating it.
While there, I had the nurse prac freeze off a bunch of skin tags that had been annoying me. Now, I just ache. Yowie. I have never had anything frozen off before and it's ouchie. I need to focus on doing some work here, and I am just being a baby right now.
Got an email coupon from a VW dealer for $1500 off any new VW in stock. Hm. They have one Beetle TDI 5 speed and ten-ish Jetta TDI 5 speeds. 40 mpg. The new beetle may be the least expensive car to own on the planet. The Phaeton that I want is the most expensive (probably) at a dollar a mile for annual use, exclusive of interest costs.
Thinking, thinking, thinking - and I have some work to do for this afternoon. Some of it thinking work, some of it work work. More later.
While there, I had the nurse prac freeze off a bunch of skin tags that had been annoying me. Now, I just ache. Yowie. I have never had anything frozen off before and it's ouchie. I need to focus on doing some work here, and I am just being a baby right now.
Got an email coupon from a VW dealer for $1500 off any new VW in stock. Hm. They have one Beetle TDI 5 speed and ten-ish Jetta TDI 5 speeds. 40 mpg. The new beetle may be the least expensive car to own on the planet. The Phaeton that I want is the most expensive (probably) at a dollar a mile for annual use, exclusive of interest costs.
Thinking, thinking, thinking - and I have some work to do for this afternoon. Some of it thinking work, some of it work work. More later.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Monday post #2
Doctor's appointment in the morning; I shudder to think what that's going to be about.
I'm watching "Closer." It's lame. It has Clive Owen in it, but .. even his charm and appeal fades in comparison to the lame-ness of the story.
There is a huge spider that is just walking around the living room floor.
I just spent some time fiddling around on the volkswagen.de website. Ooof! What one can get on a Phaeton there in Germany. Holy cow. Inlaid custom woods, leather seat piping, a refrigerator in the rear seats, rear seat DVD, nearly anything one could want.
I'm tired, so I think I should nuke this stupid movie and hit the sack.
I'm watching "Closer." It's lame. It has Clive Owen in it, but .. even his charm and appeal fades in comparison to the lame-ness of the story.
There is a huge spider that is just walking around the living room floor.
I just spent some time fiddling around on the volkswagen.de website. Ooof! What one can get on a Phaeton there in Germany. Holy cow. Inlaid custom woods, leather seat piping, a refrigerator in the rear seats, rear seat DVD, nearly anything one could want.
I'm tired, so I think I should nuke this stupid movie and hit the sack.
Monday, Monday ver. 721.01
Fred Phelps is gay
And a joke from Larry -
And some wonderful quotes for the day ..
Today, I feel like I'm working to not lose my mind. I have this deal in front of me to do 20 high-rise condo deals; I feel like I'm talking to the planet Uranus on them. The loan product they want isn't available; the communications are conflicting and confusing, and none of them are licensed as a mortgage broker/banker.
So, I'm throwing those aside to focus on something that will/could work.
My San Jac meeting got rescheduled from 10:00 to 1:00, so I'm about to get ready to go do that. Then, I have to come back here and do more work.
At least I feel like I've been productive so far this morning. Okay, back to throwing away $100,000 in income because the other side are idiots.
Feb. 26, 2006, 9:09PM
LEONARD PITTS JR.
What's behind pastor's anti-gay messages?
By LEONARD PITTS JR.
Knight Ridder Newspapers
Allow me to share with you an epiphany. I think Fred Phelps is gay.
Not that I'd have any way to know for sure, and not that there's anything wrong with that. But it seems obvious to me that Freddie has spent a little time up on Brokeback Mountain, if you catch my drift. I'm thinking he's secretly into show tunes, interior decorating and man-sized love.
Granted, that's not the first thing that comes to mind when you talk about the Fredster, who is defined by an apparently pathological hatred of all things homosexual. Perhaps you remember how his followers desecrated the funeral of Matthew Shepard, the gay college student who was beaten and left to die on a prairie fence in Wyoming eight years ago. They showed up at the funeral bearing signs that said, "God Hates Fags."
Now Phelps has updated his act. His "thinking," if you want to use that word, is that the casualties of the Iraq war are divine retribution for this country's tolerance of homosexuality. So, he says, thank God for the IEDs, improvised explosive devices, that have sent so many American soldiers home in dead and broken pieces.
Phelps' followers — he pastors a church in Topeka, Kan., where most of the congregants are members of his family — have been showing up at military funerals to express this view. Picture it: As your son, sister, wife, brother is being consigned to the soil, these idiots pop up with signs, loudly celebrating his or her death.
Small wonder the state of Wisconsin enacted a law last week banning protests at military funerals. Or that more than a dozen other states are moving in the same direction.
Phelps has vowed to fight the restrictions on First Amendment grounds, and the unfortunate truth is that he has a point. His message is bizarre, grotesque and calculated to hurt, yes. But the Constitution carves out no exception for messages that are bizarre, grotesque and calculated to hurt. The right to freedom of speech is a precious thing that extends even here.
At this point, you're probably saying to yourself that next to this guy, Pat Robertson is a model of statesmanlike restraint. You probably think he's crazy. And not ordinary crazy, mind you, but 20 pages, typewritten, single-spaced, both sides of the page with scribbles in the margins crazy.
Well, I don't think he's as crazy as he seems. Heck, nobody could be. No, he's not disturbed. He's just gay.
Hear me out. How often have we seen public moralists railing against that which they themselves secretly indulge? Think Jimmy Swaggart with his prostitute. Think Dr. Laura's pose in the nude. And for goodness' sake, how many times have we seen homosexuality condemned by those who turned out to be closeted themselves? There was Pat Robertson biographer-turned-gay-activist Mel White; Spokane Mayor James West, who spent his days opposing gay rights and his nights in gay chat rooms; and Gary Cooper and Michael Bussee, who founded a group that purported to cure people of homosexuality but gave it up when they fell in love with each other.
Consider all that, and then consider the sick ferocity of Phelps' attack:
God hates "fags."
Gays are vomit-eating dogs.
Gays are "worthy of death."
Can you say "self-hatred," boys and girls? Come on, isn't it obvious? The poor fellow is gayer than a Bette Midler AIDS benefit. In San Francisco.
He needs not our condemnation but our understanding. Maybe someday he'll find the strength to stop living this lie. He might just go on to be the greatest gay-rights activist this country has ever known. Maybe then, in the arms of the right man, he'll stop hurting.
Kind of chokes me up to think about it.
Of course, the Fredster will deny all this. He might even call me unpleasant names. Hey, that's his right. We may not see eye to eye on much, but on one thing we agree.
Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing.
lpitts@herald.com
And a joke from Larry -
George W. Bush and a secret service agent are taking a stroll when they come upon a little girl carrying a basket with a blanket over it. Curious, Bush asks the girl, "What's in the basket?"
She replies, "New baby kittens," and she opens the basket to show him.
"How nice," says Bush. "What kind are they?"
The little girl says, "Republicans."
Bush smiles, pats the little girl on the head and continues on.
Three weeks later, Bush is taking another stroll, this time with Karl Rove. They see the little girl again with the same basket.
Bush says, "Watch this, Karl --- it's really cute." They approach the little girl. Bush greets her and asks how the kittens are doing, and she says, "Fine."
Then, smirking, he nudges Rove with his elbow and asks the little girl,
"And can you tell us what kind of kittens they are?"
She replies, "Democrats."
Aghast, Bush says, "But three weeks ago you said they were Republicans!"
"I know," she says. "But now their eyes are open"...
And some wonderful quotes for the day ..
"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning..."
- Luanne
"We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past,
but by the love we're not extending in the present."
- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
"The thing to do is grab up the broom and drive off the beast of fear."
- Zora Neale Hurston
"Yesterday's over my shoulder,
So I can't look backward too long.
There is too much to see waiting in front of me,
And I know that I just can't go wrong..."
- Jimmy Buffet, Changes in Attitude, Changes in Latitude
"It's always something! If it isn't one thing, it's another."
- Roseanne Roseannadanna/Gilda Radner
"Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
- Jesus of Nazareth, Mark 6:50
And some quotes deserve some follow on Monday bon mots:
*************************
Love is grand;
divorce is a hundred grand.
*************************
I am in shape.
Round is a shape.
*************************
Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
***************************
Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels good.
***************** **********
Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
***************************
Even if you are on the right track,
you'll get run over if you just sit there.
***************************
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
***************************
An optimist thinks this is the best possible world.
A pessimist fears this is true.
**************************
There will always be death and taxes;
however, death doesn't get worse every year.
***************************
In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.
***************************
I am a nutritional overachiever.
***************************
I plan on living forever. So far, so good.
***************************
Practice safe eating -- always use condiments.
***************************
A day without sunshine is like night.
***************************
It's frustrating when you know all the answers,
but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
***************************
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
***************************
Brain cells come and brain cells go,
but fat cells live forever.
***************************
Age doesn't always bring wisdom.
Sometimes it comes alone.
***************************
Life not only begins at forty,
it also begins to show.
**************************
I smile because I am your friend!
I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.
Today, I feel like I'm working to not lose my mind. I have this deal in front of me to do 20 high-rise condo deals; I feel like I'm talking to the planet Uranus on them. The loan product they want isn't available; the communications are conflicting and confusing, and none of them are licensed as a mortgage broker/banker.
So, I'm throwing those aside to focus on something that will/could work.
My San Jac meeting got rescheduled from 10:00 to 1:00, so I'm about to get ready to go do that. Then, I have to come back here and do more work.
At least I feel like I've been productive so far this morning. Okay, back to throwing away $100,000 in income because the other side are idiots.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Notice to the universe
OFFICIAL NOTICE TO THE UNIVERSE
As of today, February 23, 2006, the free advice shop is closed.
Free advice on any subject is no longer available at this address. If you want free information, you are welcome to search my free library at my business website. If it's not there, you may ask but you pay in advance.
Fees are non-negotiable. And, I just had a big rate increase.
If you don't think that my fees are reasonable, or that you should have to pay for these answers, then you can do your own research, or call someone else.
No more gracious gratuities, no more barren barter, no more "I'll pay you when I can." If you need it now, you pay for it now.
If you can't do your job and need my help in executing it, you're out of luck unless you're turning your entire salary over to me. If you can't run your business without my doing it for you, then you need to shut it down.
If you've an energy of trying to get something for nothing, or relying on friends to give you the answers, it's time for you to try another doorbell.
As of today, February 23, 2006, the free advice shop is closed.
Free advice on any subject is no longer available at this address. If you want free information, you are welcome to search my free library at my business website. If it's not there, you may ask but you pay in advance.
Fees are non-negotiable. And, I just had a big rate increase.
If you don't think that my fees are reasonable, or that you should have to pay for these answers, then you can do your own research, or call someone else.
No more gracious gratuities, no more barren barter, no more "I'll pay you when I can." If you need it now, you pay for it now.
If you can't do your job and need my help in executing it, you're out of luck unless you're turning your entire salary over to me. If you can't run your business without my doing it for you, then you need to shut it down.
If you've an energy of trying to get something for nothing, or relying on friends to give you the answers, it's time for you to try another doorbell.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
sic transit Judy
Dear Douglas,
First of all I am really sorry I missed you the other day when I stopped by I was going to see if you were available for lunch. I was going to offer to by.When you did not answer the door I went to Buffalo Wild Wings and had wings....imagine that.I knew you were home as I heard a dog...get silenced and although I wish you had joined me it is okay that you did n't.
I really am sorry for my part of our disagreements over the last few months.
I am hoping that you decide that our long term friend ship is more important that us staying angry at each other.
As you probably know from my messages I have moved to Houston and am now the Community Relations Director for the Houston 1836 Major League Soccer Team.Opening day is April2 want a VIP pass?
I am looking at renting a condo at 2016 Main and hope to be able to do a lease purchase on it.Our offices are going to be at the Wedge Bldg.and I can walk to work!
Sean is doing okay he has had his share of the same old issues ---to much partying this year and he finally is getting his act together and he does go to AA and is looking to graduate in December.He is planning to move to Houston and live in this area and either teach or go to grad school and or law school he is competing in weighlifting and occasionally judo and doing much better.
Doug you have been a part of our lives for 14 years and we do not want to loose you over stupid things that were partially my fault and that we did not communicate on very effectivly.
Lets make up ...and be friends.
Let me know,it is easier to forgive than forget.
Cell is the same
361-xxx-xxxx.
Love you
Judy
First of all I am really sorry I missed you the other day when I stopped by I was going to see if you were available for lunch. I was going to offer to by.When you did not answer the door I went to Buffalo Wild Wings and had wings....imagine that.I knew you were home as I heard a dog...get silenced and although I wish you had joined me it is okay that you did n't.
I was in the shower, which is a risk one takes when one comes by unannounced.
I really am sorry for my part of our disagreements over the last few months.
There is no disagreement. I asked you to get me meds that I needed; you didn't. I have no problem that you found it undo-able, but when you created an ongoing story about having bought and sent them for six weeks when you never had, you have made it clear that you put more stake in your appearances than in our relationship or your trustworthiness.
I am hoping that you decide that our long term friend ship is more important that us staying angry at each other.
My reliance on you and your ongoing lie put me in the hospital. You never had a reason to be angry with me; I am not angry with you anymore. I've just done a cost/benefit analysis, and it did not work out for continuing the relationship.
As you probably know from my messages I have moved to Houston and am now the Community Relations Director for the Houston 1836 Major League Soccer Team.Opening day is April2 want a VIP pass?
No.
I am looking at renting a condo at 2016 Main and hope to be able to do a lease purchase on it.Our offices are going to be at the Wedge Bldg.and I can walk to work!
Sean is doing okay he has had his share of the same old issues ---to much partying this year and he finally is getting his act together and he does go to AA and is looking to graduate in December.He is planning to move to Houston and live in this area and either teach or go to grad school and or law school he is competing in weighlifting and occasionally judo and doing much better.
I have had the update straight from Sean.
Doug you have been a part of our lives for 14 years and we do not want to loose you over stupid things that were partially my fault and that we did not communicate on very effectivly.
There is no partially in this situation, and no my fault in it. Aggressive and damaging untruth is nearly impossible to get past; it has redefined your communication as being permanently untrustworthy.
Lets make up ...and be friends.
There is no upside for me in this proposal, and I decline.
Let me know,it is easier to forgive than forget.
There is nothing to be forgiven; there is just no value to me in continuing any relationship with you.
Cell is the same
361-xxx-xxxx.
Love you
Judy
Monday, February 20, 2006
Monday Monday ver 732.01
Ah, another Monday for 2006 crossed off the list.
Got a lot of stuff cleaned up, repaired, put away, filed, organized, written, mailed out, knocked out and cleared out.
I still have to get ready for tomorrow evening’s class.
Tomorrow, I have a manager’s meeting (mandatory!!!!!!) and lots of running around to do..
Got to see Lance today, got to work on stuff for Chuck, talk to Susan .. she still wants me to move to Dallas REALLY badly. It has a lot of appeal.
Speaking of Dallas, the car I want is there now, and I’ve talked to the dealer. They can CPO it – which is GREAT news, and I’ll talk to the CU tomorrow about the financing.
FINALLY got a loan approval-ish from a new lender on the inter-Asian multi-lingual land deal I’ve been working on for months and months. It’s not the greatest, but it’s something I can hopefully leverage with the OTHER lender to get something more workable. I believe now that I can finally close this sucker in two weeks-ish.
Now, to find a lender for a non-warrantable, non-owner, inexperienced investor at 10% down on an ARM in a high rise. Yeah, sure.
Got a lot of stuff cleaned up, repaired, put away, filed, organized, written, mailed out, knocked out and cleared out.
I still have to get ready for tomorrow evening’s class.
Tomorrow, I have a manager’s meeting (mandatory!!!!!!) and lots of running around to do..
Got to see Lance today, got to work on stuff for Chuck, talk to Susan .. she still wants me to move to Dallas REALLY badly. It has a lot of appeal.
Speaking of Dallas, the car I want is there now, and I’ve talked to the dealer. They can CPO it – which is GREAT news, and I’ll talk to the CU tomorrow about the financing.
FINALLY got a loan approval-ish from a new lender on the inter-Asian multi-lingual land deal I’ve been working on for months and months. It’s not the greatest, but it’s something I can hopefully leverage with the OTHER lender to get something more workable. I believe now that I can finally close this sucker in two weeks-ish.
Now, to find a lender for a non-warrantable, non-owner, inexperienced investor at 10% down on an ARM in a high rise. Yeah, sure.
Let the visuals begin
PICTURES! It’s always better with PICTURES!
http://resumbrae.com/archive/warming/EastCoast030-960.jpg
http://resumbrae.com/archive/warming/EastCoast030-960.jpg
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Sunday evening blog entry
Church today was awesome – I talked about “Vanity” of the Seven DeadlySins – and it went VERY well. We were able to talk about bridging between people who have challenging or hostile views, such as fundamentalists, people from the other political viewpoint, family members – looking at them a different way. I think it’s going to be very powerful.
Chuck helped me with a power point presentation for the Vanity talk. It was pretty good; I think we can do better. This morning, I found a panaboard on eBay – and, we bought it for $180 – plus about $200 in shipping costs – in two weeks, I think that we’ll have a wall mounted A/V display for our presentations – it’s going to be GREAT.
Last night’s formal party for Robyn was LOTS of fun. Putting on a tux and going was great. Two people told me that I was the best dressed man there. That was nice. The new shoes were fabulous.
This week, I have a bunch to do – including cracking my internal fear that comes from infancy. I feel like I’ve been successful in clearing out these beliefs in my conscious mind, but they still run rampant in my subconscious mind. This afternoon, I did another brief meditation and then took a nap. My subconscious just ripped into the nap – I awoke with my heart pounding and my entire body awash in adrenaline.
So, how does this work? I keep trying to adjust my thinking and belief patterns, and this is just so deep – anyone have a roto-rooter device?
I think I’m going to work with Lisa again Tuesday night before class.
Taught myself Rune techniques today. It’s amazingly simple.
Just finished the last of the orange juice from oranges that I brought from Dad’s tree in his old back yard. Oranges from the grocery store have no flavor that’s remotely like it.
I’m watching a DVD of Michael Moore’s the “awful truth.” It’s kind of funny, but it sure is slanted. I started to watch one of his movies, and realized I’d watched it years ago.
Last night, after driving home from Robyn’s party, I was nosing around on eBay and found MY car – the dealership in Austin had sold it nearly two weeks ago, but now it’s at a VW dealer, and .. that means that the sole flaw in the vehicle could be resolved .. I can have it certified. That adds to the warranty, and gives one more confidence in the vehicle. I applied for a loan on it tonight with my credit union. We’ll see about that –
As I’ve been studying lately, I’m increasingly finding that it’s one’s expectations that create outcomes. It’s the expectancy. This could also be defined as the tendency of one’s beliefs and thinking. I think that as one develops ones ability with mental science, these thinking tendencies become more distinct and powerful, as one adds the belief in mental science to the tendencies, making them more effective. Thus, any focus on worry, fear, anxiety or negative beliefs will produce quicker, clearer results.
Of course, a shifted focus brings quick elimination of these anxieties.
I’m sure that part of my current state is my shifting view of what I want to do. I talked to Susan yesterday at some length about that, and I think it’s getting clearer for me. I’ve cooked up some plans for how I want my business website to work. I’m going to be expanding the website significantly, and I have some products to roll out that should be dandy. I need to focus on making this happen, along with all of my other projects.
Anyway, more watching this DVD, getting the trash ready for tomorrow morning, and some more meditation.
Chuck helped me with a power point presentation for the Vanity talk. It was pretty good; I think we can do better. This morning, I found a panaboard on eBay – and, we bought it for $180 – plus about $200 in shipping costs – in two weeks, I think that we’ll have a wall mounted A/V display for our presentations – it’s going to be GREAT.
Last night’s formal party for Robyn was LOTS of fun. Putting on a tux and going was great. Two people told me that I was the best dressed man there. That was nice. The new shoes were fabulous.
This week, I have a bunch to do – including cracking my internal fear that comes from infancy. I feel like I’ve been successful in clearing out these beliefs in my conscious mind, but they still run rampant in my subconscious mind. This afternoon, I did another brief meditation and then took a nap. My subconscious just ripped into the nap – I awoke with my heart pounding and my entire body awash in adrenaline.
So, how does this work? I keep trying to adjust my thinking and belief patterns, and this is just so deep – anyone have a roto-rooter device?
I think I’m going to work with Lisa again Tuesday night before class.
Taught myself Rune techniques today. It’s amazingly simple.
Just finished the last of the orange juice from oranges that I brought from Dad’s tree in his old back yard. Oranges from the grocery store have no flavor that’s remotely like it.
I’m watching a DVD of Michael Moore’s the “awful truth.” It’s kind of funny, but it sure is slanted. I started to watch one of his movies, and realized I’d watched it years ago.
Last night, after driving home from Robyn’s party, I was nosing around on eBay and found MY car – the dealership in Austin had sold it nearly two weeks ago, but now it’s at a VW dealer, and .. that means that the sole flaw in the vehicle could be resolved .. I can have it certified. That adds to the warranty, and gives one more confidence in the vehicle. I applied for a loan on it tonight with my credit union. We’ll see about that –
As I’ve been studying lately, I’m increasingly finding that it’s one’s expectations that create outcomes. It’s the expectancy. This could also be defined as the tendency of one’s beliefs and thinking. I think that as one develops ones ability with mental science, these thinking tendencies become more distinct and powerful, as one adds the belief in mental science to the tendencies, making them more effective. Thus, any focus on worry, fear, anxiety or negative beliefs will produce quicker, clearer results.
Of course, a shifted focus brings quick elimination of these anxieties.
I’m sure that part of my current state is my shifting view of what I want to do. I talked to Susan yesterday at some length about that, and I think it’s getting clearer for me. I’ve cooked up some plans for how I want my business website to work. I’m going to be expanding the website significantly, and I have some products to roll out that should be dandy. I need to focus on making this happen, along with all of my other projects.
Anyway, more watching this DVD, getting the trash ready for tomorrow morning, and some more meditation.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Get out the mop bucket
Okay, so now I’m going to scare you.
Today’s subject is global warming. There’s a huge amount of material that has come out today on the subject, in many well-considered journals.
First, the summary:
Global Warming: A New Worst Case
by melvin
Fri Feb 17, 2006 at 03:02:21 AM PDT
(From the diaries -- Plutonium Page.)
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief, More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.--Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard expresses pretty well what we're feeling on all fronts. On the subject of global warming, Glacial Melting Accelerates, a diary last night, cites recent reports that the Greenland ice sheet is melting twice as fast as we thought. Now a complementary and reinforcing article in New Scientist will project beyond 2100 the consequences of using all the fossil fuels still underground: just for starters, a sea level rise of 11 meters (36 feet).
The article is behind a subscription wall. Worst case global warming scenario revealed Rather than rehearse doomsday again, and risk the wrath of their serious copyright police, we'll skip to the money quote from the study's author:
Only by starting to reduce carbon dioxide emissions now can we avoid the melting of the Greenland ice cap.
NB: Not by reducing the rate at which emissions are rising, not by some emissions trading slight of hand, counting trees we don't cut down as if that actually reduced emissions, but by reducing them, for real, now. The author is also concerned that the Antarctic sheet may go next. He sees a very steep temperature curve coming, and stopping well short of "worst case" will leave London (and Amsterdam, and Bangladesh . . .) under only a few feet less of seawater.
Meanwhile, Bush's ally on this front as on all things twisted and wrong is the Howard government of Australia. In a revelation that should surprise no one here, it's been revealed that science has been hushed there too:
Scientists in Aus Pressured not to Disclose Global Warming
Three Australian scientists said they were pressured by the government not to issue any statements on global warming.
The former head of the climate department at the independent institution, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Graeme Pearman told ABC TV Monday, "I was told not to say anything that contradicts the policy of the government."
Pearman went on to say that he had been censured at least six times last year.~~~~~Barrie Pittock, also from the same institution, said they have been under pressure to remove information on global warming from any official documents.
(This was also reported in the Guardian)Further food for thought on Science Friday: Do we laugh or cry at the following? CSIRO (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) worked long and hard to figure this one out. From The Age: Fires up as world warms
Global warming will cause more bushfires by 2020, increasing destruction of the environment and causing more health problems and fire-related injury and death, a new report says.~~~~~The report said increased fires would mean even higher greenhouse gas emissions, greater destruction of ecosystems and forests, and more damage to property, livestock and crops.
Pretty much anyone could have figured that out before coffee, one would think, but the bold portion does give pause.
What does anyone think about the idea of a carbon tax? Seriously. bonddad, Jerome, Darksyde? Anyone at all?
From today’s Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/16/AR2006021601292.html
Glacier Melt Could Signal Faster Rise in Ocean Levels
By Shankar Vedantam
Washington Post Staff WriterFriday, February 17, 2006; Page A01
Greenland's glaciers are melting into the sea twice as fast as previously believed, the result of a warming trend that renders obsolete predictions of how quickly Earth's oceans will rise over the next century, scientists said yesterday.
The new data come from satellite imagery and give fresh urgency to worries about the role of human activity in global warming. The Greenland data are mirrored by findings from Bolivia to the Himalayas, scientists said, noting that rising sea levels threaten widespread flooding and severe storm damage in low-lying areas worldwide.
The scientists said they do not yet understand the precise mechanism causing glaciers to flow and melt more rapidly, but they said the changes in Greenland were unambiguous -- and accelerating: In 1996, the amount of water produced by melting ice in Greenland was about 90 times the amount consumed by Los Angeles in a year. Last year, the melted ice amounted to 225 times the volume of water that city uses annually.
"We are witnessing enormous changes, and it will take some time before we understand how it happened, although it is clearly a result of warming around the glaciers," said Eric Rignot, a scientist at the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The Greenland study is the latest of several in recent months that have found evidence that rising temperatures are affecting not only Earth's ice sheets but also such things as plant and animal habitats, coral reefs' health, hurricane severity, droughts, and globe-girdling currents that drive regional climates.
The ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are among the largest reservoirs of fresh water on Earth, and their fate is expected to be a major factor in determining how much the oceans will rise. Rignot and University of Kansas scientist Pannir Kanagaratnam, who published their findings yesterday in the journal Science, declined to guess how much the faster melting would raise sea levels but said current estimates of around 20 inches over the next century are probably too low.
While sea-level increases of a few feet may not sound like very much, they could have profound consequences on flood-prone countries such as Bangladesh and trigger severe weather around the world.
"The implications are global," said Julian Dowdeswell, a glacier expert at the University of Cambridge in England who reviewed the new paper for Science. "We are not talking about walking along the sea front on a nice summer day, we are talking of the worst storm settings, the biggest storm surges . . . you are upping the probability major storms will take place."
The study also highlights how seemingly small changes in temperature can have extensive effects. Where glaciers in Greenland were once traveling around four miles per year, they are now moving twice as fast. While it is possible that increased precipitation in northern Greenland is somehow compensating for the melting in the south, the scientists said that is unlikely.
There are multiple ways warming might be causing glaciers to accelerate. The scientists said increased temperatures may loosen the grip that glaciers have on underlying bedrock, or melt away floating shelves along the shore that can hold ice in place.
Whatever the mechanism, the phenomenon seems widespread. At a news conference organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science at its annual meeting in St. Louis, glacier scientists Vladimir Aizen from the University of Idaho and Gino Casassa of Chile's Centro de Estudios Cientificos said they were seeing the same thing happen to glaciers in the Himalayas and South America.
"Glaciers have retreated systematically and in an accelerated fashion in the last few decades," Casassa said. One glacier that provided Bolivia with its only ski slope five years ago has splintered into three and cannot be used for skiing, the scientist added.
Rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers also raises concerns for the large portion of humankind that gets its fresh water from glacier-fed rivers in South Asia, Aizen noted.
Most climate scientists believe a major cause for Earth's warming climate is increased emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of burning fossil fuels, largely in the United States and other wealthy, industrialized nations such as those of western Europe but increasingly in rapidly developing nations such as China and India as well. Carbon dioxide and several other gases trap the sun's heat and raise atmospheric temperature.
"This study underscores the need to take swift, meaningful actions at home and abroad to address climate change," said Vicki Arroyo, director of policy analysis at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.
The data highlight the lack of meaningful U.S. policy, she added: "This is the kind of study that should make people stay awake at night wondering what we're doing to the climate, how we're shaping the planet for future generations and, especially, what we can do about it."
From the Independent
Climate change: On the edge
Greenland ice cap breaking up at twice the rate it was five years ago, says scientist Bush tried to gag
By Jim Hansen
Published: 17 February 2006
A satellite study of the Greenland ice cap shows that it is melting far faster than scientists had feared - twice as much ice is going into the sea as it was five years ago. The implications for rising sea levels - and climate change - could be dramatic.
Yet, a few weeks ago, when I - a Nasa climate scientist - tried to talk to the media about these issues following a lecture I had given calling for prompt reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases, the Nasa public affairs team - staffed by political appointees from the Bush administration - tried to stop me doing so. I was not happy with that, and I ignored the restrictions. The first line of Nasa's mission is to understand and protect the planet.
This new satellite data is a remarkable advance. We are seeing for the first time the detailed behaviour of the ice streams that are draining the Greenland ice sheet. They show that Greenland seems to be losing at least 200 cubic kilometres of ice a year. It is different from even two years ago, when people still said the ice sheet was in balance.
Hundreds of cubic kilometres sounds like a lot of ice. But this is just the beginning. Once a sheet starts to disintegrate, it can reach a tipping point beyond which break-up is explosively rapid. The issue is how close we are getting to that tipping point. The summer of 2005 broke all records for melting in Greenland. So we may be on the edge.
Our understanding of what is going on is very new. Today's forecasts of sea-level rise use climate models of the ice sheets that say they can only disintegrate over a thousand years or more. But we can now see that the models are almost worthless. They treat the ice sheets like a single block of ice that will slowly melt. But what is happening is much more dynamic.
Once the ice starts to melt at the surface, it forms lakes that empty down crevasses to the bottom of the ice. You get rivers of water underneath the ice. And the ice slides towards the ocean.
Our Nasa scientists have measured this in Greenland. And once these ice streams start moving, their influence stretches right to the interior of the ice sheet. Building an ice sheet takes a long time, because it is limited by snowfall. But destroying it can be explosively rapid.
How fast can this go? Right now, I think our best measure is what happened in the past. We know that, for instance, 14,000 years ago sea levels rose by 20m in 400 years - that is five metres in a century. This was towards the end of the last ice age, so there was more ice around. But, on the other hand, temperatures were not warming as fast as today.
How far can it go? The last time the world was three degrees warmer than today - which is what we expect later this century - sea levels were 25m higher. So that is what we can look forward to if we don't act soon. None of the current climate and ice models predict this. But I prefer the evidence from the Earth's history and my own eyes. I think sea-level rise is going to be the big issue soon, more even than warming itself.
It's hard to say what the world will be like if this happens. It would be another planet. You could imagine great armadas of icebergs breaking off Greenland and melting as they float south. And, of course, huge areas being flooded.
How long have we got? We have to stabilise emissions of carbon dioxide within a decade, or temperatures will warm by more than one degree. That will be warmer than it has been for half a million years, and many things could become unstoppable. If we are to stop that, we cannot wait for new technologies like capturing emissions from burning coal. We have to act with what we have. This decade, that means focusing on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy that do not burn carbon. We don't have much time left.
Jim Hansen, the director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, is President George Bush's top climate modeller. He was speaking to Fred Pearce
Today’s subject is global warming. There’s a huge amount of material that has come out today on the subject, in many well-considered journals.
First, the summary:
Global Warming: A New Worst Case
by melvin
Fri Feb 17, 2006 at 03:02:21 AM PDT
(From the diaries -- Plutonium Page.)
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief, More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.--Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard expresses pretty well what we're feeling on all fronts. On the subject of global warming, Glacial Melting Accelerates, a diary last night, cites recent reports that the Greenland ice sheet is melting twice as fast as we thought. Now a complementary and reinforcing article in New Scientist will project beyond 2100 the consequences of using all the fossil fuels still underground: just for starters, a sea level rise of 11 meters (36 feet).
The article is behind a subscription wall. Worst case global warming scenario revealed Rather than rehearse doomsday again, and risk the wrath of their serious copyright police, we'll skip to the money quote from the study's author:
Only by starting to reduce carbon dioxide emissions now can we avoid the melting of the Greenland ice cap.
NB: Not by reducing the rate at which emissions are rising, not by some emissions trading slight of hand, counting trees we don't cut down as if that actually reduced emissions, but by reducing them, for real, now. The author is also concerned that the Antarctic sheet may go next. He sees a very steep temperature curve coming, and stopping well short of "worst case" will leave London (and Amsterdam, and Bangladesh . . .) under only a few feet less of seawater.
Meanwhile, Bush's ally on this front as on all things twisted and wrong is the Howard government of Australia. In a revelation that should surprise no one here, it's been revealed that science has been hushed there too:
Scientists in Aus Pressured not to Disclose Global Warming
Three Australian scientists said they were pressured by the government not to issue any statements on global warming.
The former head of the climate department at the independent institution, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Graeme Pearman told ABC TV Monday, "I was told not to say anything that contradicts the policy of the government."
Pearman went on to say that he had been censured at least six times last year.~~~~~Barrie Pittock, also from the same institution, said they have been under pressure to remove information on global warming from any official documents.
(This was also reported in the Guardian)Further food for thought on Science Friday: Do we laugh or cry at the following? CSIRO (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) worked long and hard to figure this one out. From The Age: Fires up as world warms
Global warming will cause more bushfires by 2020, increasing destruction of the environment and causing more health problems and fire-related injury and death, a new report says.~~~~~The report said increased fires would mean even higher greenhouse gas emissions, greater destruction of ecosystems and forests, and more damage to property, livestock and crops.
Pretty much anyone could have figured that out before coffee, one would think, but the bold portion does give pause.
What does anyone think about the idea of a carbon tax? Seriously. bonddad, Jerome, Darksyde? Anyone at all?
From today’s Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/16/AR2006021601292.html
Glacier Melt Could Signal Faster Rise in Ocean Levels
By Shankar Vedantam
Washington Post Staff WriterFriday, February 17, 2006; Page A01
Greenland's glaciers are melting into the sea twice as fast as previously believed, the result of a warming trend that renders obsolete predictions of how quickly Earth's oceans will rise over the next century, scientists said yesterday.
The new data come from satellite imagery and give fresh urgency to worries about the role of human activity in global warming. The Greenland data are mirrored by findings from Bolivia to the Himalayas, scientists said, noting that rising sea levels threaten widespread flooding and severe storm damage in low-lying areas worldwide.
The scientists said they do not yet understand the precise mechanism causing glaciers to flow and melt more rapidly, but they said the changes in Greenland were unambiguous -- and accelerating: In 1996, the amount of water produced by melting ice in Greenland was about 90 times the amount consumed by Los Angeles in a year. Last year, the melted ice amounted to 225 times the volume of water that city uses annually.
"We are witnessing enormous changes, and it will take some time before we understand how it happened, although it is clearly a result of warming around the glaciers," said Eric Rignot, a scientist at the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The Greenland study is the latest of several in recent months that have found evidence that rising temperatures are affecting not only Earth's ice sheets but also such things as plant and animal habitats, coral reefs' health, hurricane severity, droughts, and globe-girdling currents that drive regional climates.
The ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are among the largest reservoirs of fresh water on Earth, and their fate is expected to be a major factor in determining how much the oceans will rise. Rignot and University of Kansas scientist Pannir Kanagaratnam, who published their findings yesterday in the journal Science, declined to guess how much the faster melting would raise sea levels but said current estimates of around 20 inches over the next century are probably too low.
While sea-level increases of a few feet may not sound like very much, they could have profound consequences on flood-prone countries such as Bangladesh and trigger severe weather around the world.
"The implications are global," said Julian Dowdeswell, a glacier expert at the University of Cambridge in England who reviewed the new paper for Science. "We are not talking about walking along the sea front on a nice summer day, we are talking of the worst storm settings, the biggest storm surges . . . you are upping the probability major storms will take place."
The study also highlights how seemingly small changes in temperature can have extensive effects. Where glaciers in Greenland were once traveling around four miles per year, they are now moving twice as fast. While it is possible that increased precipitation in northern Greenland is somehow compensating for the melting in the south, the scientists said that is unlikely.
There are multiple ways warming might be causing glaciers to accelerate. The scientists said increased temperatures may loosen the grip that glaciers have on underlying bedrock, or melt away floating shelves along the shore that can hold ice in place.
Whatever the mechanism, the phenomenon seems widespread. At a news conference organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science at its annual meeting in St. Louis, glacier scientists Vladimir Aizen from the University of Idaho and Gino Casassa of Chile's Centro de Estudios Cientificos said they were seeing the same thing happen to glaciers in the Himalayas and South America.
"Glaciers have retreated systematically and in an accelerated fashion in the last few decades," Casassa said. One glacier that provided Bolivia with its only ski slope five years ago has splintered into three and cannot be used for skiing, the scientist added.
Rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers also raises concerns for the large portion of humankind that gets its fresh water from glacier-fed rivers in South Asia, Aizen noted.
Most climate scientists believe a major cause for Earth's warming climate is increased emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of burning fossil fuels, largely in the United States and other wealthy, industrialized nations such as those of western Europe but increasingly in rapidly developing nations such as China and India as well. Carbon dioxide and several other gases trap the sun's heat and raise atmospheric temperature.
"This study underscores the need to take swift, meaningful actions at home and abroad to address climate change," said Vicki Arroyo, director of policy analysis at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.
The data highlight the lack of meaningful U.S. policy, she added: "This is the kind of study that should make people stay awake at night wondering what we're doing to the climate, how we're shaping the planet for future generations and, especially, what we can do about it."
From the Independent
Climate change: On the edge
Greenland ice cap breaking up at twice the rate it was five years ago, says scientist Bush tried to gag
By Jim Hansen
Published: 17 February 2006
A satellite study of the Greenland ice cap shows that it is melting far faster than scientists had feared - twice as much ice is going into the sea as it was five years ago. The implications for rising sea levels - and climate change - could be dramatic.
Yet, a few weeks ago, when I - a Nasa climate scientist - tried to talk to the media about these issues following a lecture I had given calling for prompt reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases, the Nasa public affairs team - staffed by political appointees from the Bush administration - tried to stop me doing so. I was not happy with that, and I ignored the restrictions. The first line of Nasa's mission is to understand and protect the planet.
This new satellite data is a remarkable advance. We are seeing for the first time the detailed behaviour of the ice streams that are draining the Greenland ice sheet. They show that Greenland seems to be losing at least 200 cubic kilometres of ice a year. It is different from even two years ago, when people still said the ice sheet was in balance.
Hundreds of cubic kilometres sounds like a lot of ice. But this is just the beginning. Once a sheet starts to disintegrate, it can reach a tipping point beyond which break-up is explosively rapid. The issue is how close we are getting to that tipping point. The summer of 2005 broke all records for melting in Greenland. So we may be on the edge.
Our understanding of what is going on is very new. Today's forecasts of sea-level rise use climate models of the ice sheets that say they can only disintegrate over a thousand years or more. But we can now see that the models are almost worthless. They treat the ice sheets like a single block of ice that will slowly melt. But what is happening is much more dynamic.
Once the ice starts to melt at the surface, it forms lakes that empty down crevasses to the bottom of the ice. You get rivers of water underneath the ice. And the ice slides towards the ocean.
Our Nasa scientists have measured this in Greenland. And once these ice streams start moving, their influence stretches right to the interior of the ice sheet. Building an ice sheet takes a long time, because it is limited by snowfall. But destroying it can be explosively rapid.
How fast can this go? Right now, I think our best measure is what happened in the past. We know that, for instance, 14,000 years ago sea levels rose by 20m in 400 years - that is five metres in a century. This was towards the end of the last ice age, so there was more ice around. But, on the other hand, temperatures were not warming as fast as today.
How far can it go? The last time the world was three degrees warmer than today - which is what we expect later this century - sea levels were 25m higher. So that is what we can look forward to if we don't act soon. None of the current climate and ice models predict this. But I prefer the evidence from the Earth's history and my own eyes. I think sea-level rise is going to be the big issue soon, more even than warming itself.
It's hard to say what the world will be like if this happens. It would be another planet. You could imagine great armadas of icebergs breaking off Greenland and melting as they float south. And, of course, huge areas being flooded.
How long have we got? We have to stabilise emissions of carbon dioxide within a decade, or temperatures will warm by more than one degree. That will be warmer than it has been for half a million years, and many things could become unstoppable. If we are to stop that, we cannot wait for new technologies like capturing emissions from burning coal. We have to act with what we have. This decade, that means focusing on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy that do not burn carbon. We don't have much time left.
Jim Hansen, the director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, is President George Bush's top climate modeller. He was speaking to Fred Pearce
Hand 'em the keys
Bush Administration Sells Port Security To Highest Foreign Bidder
by georgia10
Fri Feb 17, 2006 at 08:43:25 AM PDT
The Bush administration has granted access to our most important ports to the government of the United Arab Emirates:
The Bush administration dismissed the security concerns of local officials yesterday and restated its approval of a deal that will give a company based in Dubai a major role in operating ports in and around New York City.
Representatives of the White House and the Treasury Department said they had given their approval for Dubai Ports World to do business in the United States after a rigorous review. The decision, they said, was final.
Dubai Ports World is buying the British company that currently operates the cruise-ship terminal on the West Side of Manhattan, one of the biggest cargo terminals in New York Harbor, and terminals in Philadelphia, Baltimore and other big ports.
Dubai Ports World is controlled by the UAE royal family. The decision to grant the $6.8 billion sale to Dubai was made by the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States . Who sits on the committee? The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Commerce, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. The Committee is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury.
So Gonzales, Rice, Rumsfeld, Snow, and an other Bush administration officials conducted a security review and decided--unanimously--that the sale did not post a national security threat. How thorough was their investigation? They did not conduct background checks on senior managers of the company, nor did they ask how the company screens its own employees. You know, just in case a terrorist wants to infiltrate the company that now has unprecedented and unfettered access to our ports. More below...
In a letter to Treasury secretary John Snow, Senator Richard Shelby, an influential Alabama Republican, stopped short of calling for the deal to be blocked, but said the transaction merited further scrutiny, potentially raising complications for DP World's bid. Mr Shelby is expected to call for a hearing to discuss the issue in coming weeks.
In a separate letter to Mr Snow, New York senator Chuck Schumer and others said US ports were "the most vulnerable targets for terrorist attack". They questioned whether DP World, which is owned and controlled by Dubai, should be allowed to take over P&O, charging that Dubai was a "key transfer point" for shipments of nuclear components bound for Iran, North Korea and Libya.
And from yesterday's press briefing:
Les.
Q Scott, I have a two-part. The government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has approved a deal that will put six major ports in the United States under the control of a state-sponsored company based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. And my question: Knowing, as we do, that the Arab Emirate was tied in many ways to the 9/11 hijackers and their deeds, and knowing the critical nature of port security and protecting the nation, will the President step in and stop this deal from going into effect March 2nd?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, my understanding, Les, is that this went through the national security review process under CFIUS, at the Department of Treasury. That is the agency that is responsible for overseeing such matters. And this includes a number of national security agencies -- the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Justice, among others, and there is a rigorous review that goes on for proposed foreign investments for national security concerns. And in terms of specifics relating to this, Treasury is the chair of this and you should direct those questions to Treasury.
That question, by the way, wasn't asked by Helen Thomas or David Gregory. It was posed by Les Kinsolving, right-wing reporter for WorldNutDaily.
Republicans feel betrayed that their President would make such a foolish national security move. Even Rick Santorum (R-PA) has sent a letter to the President protesting the deal. Also, Republican Congressman Mark Foley had this to day:
"Six of our largest commercial ports are being handed over to a country that is seeking to be Iran's free trade partner and has been linked to the funding and planning of 9/11. If our ports are the most vulnerable targets for terrorism and if we are at war, as the President says, we should be overly critical of handing over management of our ports to any foreign countries, post 9/11. Instead, this was done in the dead of night."
Besides Schumer, (who was quoted above and who sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Snowe), other Democrats are shocked at the deal--and are taking action:
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told The Associated Press he will introduce legislation to prohibit companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from running port operations in the United States. Menendez said his proposal would effectively block state-owned Dubai Ports World from realizing gains from its purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. [...]
We wouldn't turn the border patrol or the customs service over to a foreign government, and we can't afford to turn our ports over to one, either," Menendez said.
So conservatives, moderates, liberals, and basically everyone on the political spectrum opposes this deal. About the only people who like the deal are those who enjoy walking in wildflower meadows hand in hand with super-rich royal families whose countries may incubate terrorists.
Ahem.
The bipartisan concern here is that we are handing the key to our nation's security to just such a foreign government. Not to a private corporation, but to a company controlled by a foreign state. No matter how good our relations are with that country, how can we ever justify letting another government control the security of our citizens?
Anthony R. Coscia, the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has repeatedly contacted the administration to get answers to his concerns. The Bush administration has refused to respond.
by georgia10
Fri Feb 17, 2006 at 08:43:25 AM PDT
The Bush administration has granted access to our most important ports to the government of the United Arab Emirates:
The Bush administration dismissed the security concerns of local officials yesterday and restated its approval of a deal that will give a company based in Dubai a major role in operating ports in and around New York City.
Representatives of the White House and the Treasury Department said they had given their approval for Dubai Ports World to do business in the United States after a rigorous review. The decision, they said, was final.
Dubai Ports World is buying the British company that currently operates the cruise-ship terminal on the West Side of Manhattan, one of the biggest cargo terminals in New York Harbor, and terminals in Philadelphia, Baltimore and other big ports.
Dubai Ports World is controlled by the UAE royal family. The decision to grant the $6.8 billion sale to Dubai was made by the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States . Who sits on the committee? The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Commerce, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. The Committee is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury.
So Gonzales, Rice, Rumsfeld, Snow, and an other Bush administration officials conducted a security review and decided--unanimously--that the sale did not post a national security threat. How thorough was their investigation? They did not conduct background checks on senior managers of the company, nor did they ask how the company screens its own employees. You know, just in case a terrorist wants to infiltrate the company that now has unprecedented and unfettered access to our ports. More below...
- ::
In a letter to Treasury secretary John Snow, Senator Richard Shelby, an influential Alabama Republican, stopped short of calling for the deal to be blocked, but said the transaction merited further scrutiny, potentially raising complications for DP World's bid. Mr Shelby is expected to call for a hearing to discuss the issue in coming weeks.
In a separate letter to Mr Snow, New York senator Chuck Schumer and others said US ports were "the most vulnerable targets for terrorist attack". They questioned whether DP World, which is owned and controlled by Dubai, should be allowed to take over P&O, charging that Dubai was a "key transfer point" for shipments of nuclear components bound for Iran, North Korea and Libya.
And from yesterday's press briefing:
Les.
Q Scott, I have a two-part. The government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has approved a deal that will put six major ports in the United States under the control of a state-sponsored company based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. And my question: Knowing, as we do, that the Arab Emirate was tied in many ways to the 9/11 hijackers and their deeds, and knowing the critical nature of port security and protecting the nation, will the President step in and stop this deal from going into effect March 2nd?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, my understanding, Les, is that this went through the national security review process under CFIUS, at the Department of Treasury. That is the agency that is responsible for overseeing such matters. And this includes a number of national security agencies -- the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Justice, among others, and there is a rigorous review that goes on for proposed foreign investments for national security concerns. And in terms of specifics relating to this, Treasury is the chair of this and you should direct those questions to Treasury.
That question, by the way, wasn't asked by Helen Thomas or David Gregory. It was posed by Les Kinsolving, right-wing reporter for WorldNutDaily.
Republicans feel betrayed that their President would make such a foolish national security move. Even Rick Santorum (R-PA) has sent a letter to the President protesting the deal. Also, Republican Congressman Mark Foley had this to day:
"Six of our largest commercial ports are being handed over to a country that is seeking to be Iran's free trade partner and has been linked to the funding and planning of 9/11. If our ports are the most vulnerable targets for terrorism and if we are at war, as the President says, we should be overly critical of handing over management of our ports to any foreign countries, post 9/11. Instead, this was done in the dead of night."
Besides Schumer, (who was quoted above and who sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Snowe), other Democrats are shocked at the deal--and are taking action:
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., told The Associated Press he will introduce legislation to prohibit companies owned or controlled by foreign governments from running port operations in the United States. Menendez said his proposal would effectively block state-owned Dubai Ports World from realizing gains from its purchase of London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. [...]
We wouldn't turn the border patrol or the customs service over to a foreign government, and we can't afford to turn our ports over to one, either," Menendez said.
So conservatives, moderates, liberals, and basically everyone on the political spectrum opposes this deal. About the only people who like the deal are those who enjoy walking in wildflower meadows hand in hand with super-rich royal families whose countries may incubate terrorists.
Ahem.
The bipartisan concern here is that we are handing the key to our nation's security to just such a foreign government. Not to a private corporation, but to a company controlled by a foreign state. No matter how good our relations are with that country, how can we ever justify letting another government control the security of our citizens?
Anthony R. Coscia, the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has repeatedly contacted the administration to get answers to his concerns. The Bush administration has refused to respond.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Thursday - is this breakthrough day?
Well, what a day! I got a quote from a hot loan lead source; $25/lead pre-qualified with applications. I met with a woman about loan referrals. I got a referral in from a California broker for a $525M loan which is going to be a REAL challenge, but suggests there are 10+ more loans just like it, and read my homework for tonight's class about money.
A gray day - and I've been working through my own stuff about money; I, of course, have all four of the fundamental mental issues about money generation, and I've found this information to be helpful, but then I find that they're intending to co-opt my class tonight to have us practice our counseling techniques on prac I students - hey, I want my conversation about money, thank you!
Anyway, hope for the future and no resolution for today that has yet materialized.
Thinking back to "What the Bleep?" If the natives couldn't see Columbus' ships because they had no frame of reference - how could we see alien visitors who use devices and body shapes that we haven't yet thought of?
A gray day - and I've been working through my own stuff about money; I, of course, have all four of the fundamental mental issues about money generation, and I've found this information to be helpful, but then I find that they're intending to co-opt my class tonight to have us practice our counseling techniques on prac I students - hey, I want my conversation about money, thank you!
Anyway, hope for the future and no resolution for today that has yet materialized.
Thinking back to "What the Bleep?" If the natives couldn't see Columbus' ships because they had no frame of reference - how could we see alien visitors who use devices and body shapes that we haven't yet thought of?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Monday Monday
Hump Day after a period of inactivity
I just haven’t had much to say. There are lots of really cool things going on, and lots of things that are just plain unnerving.
I’m going to start by talking about the cool things that are going on with New Vision. First, we had twenty-one people on Sunday for Rev. Reed’s talk. It was great! Our press releases start this week, but I think that will take two weeks or so to ramp up. I’m not sure.
Anyway, this next week, we’re going to start working on podcasting the Sunday services, and I’m doing a powerpoint presentation for the first time. It should be awesome. The place is looking better each week. I’m going to start working on the website again (but not tonight) and add in a page about the new space we’re working to manifest.
Which is the OTHER really cool thing – we went yesterday to look at the upstairs space that we had rather decided was the place for us, and the people in the leasing office told us about an entirely different space that is at the end of the center. The space was a dry cleaner (not a plant, just a drop-off) The main room has an exposed brick wall, stained glass windows, a good size, has two nice nooks behind the main room, a small room that’s actually a large closet, but that would work for private counseling sessions (I think) a fair sized bathroom, and a SMOKING PATIO in back. AWESOME. The two small windows have flower boxes outside, which just call out for attention, and there’s a welcoming walk-up area under an overhang in front. The front wall is the perfect size for a lovely sign with our logo on it, and it’s got a great energy.
I think we’ll be making a proposal on it by March 10, and then, we’ll be working out the details. I’m already excited – I want everyone’s creative juices flowing in how we can paint, how we can put up lighting, wall decorations, putting together the coffee bar, putting together the little bookstore area, the couseling office, the flowers, the hallway, everything .. it’s just SO EXCITING.
And, eight months ago, we were on the verge of folding up shop, sort of.
Okay, it’s time for me to get some sleep – and work on having another productive day tomorrow.
I just haven’t had much to say. There are lots of really cool things going on, and lots of things that are just plain unnerving.
I’m going to start by talking about the cool things that are going on with New Vision. First, we had twenty-one people on Sunday for Rev. Reed’s talk. It was great! Our press releases start this week, but I think that will take two weeks or so to ramp up. I’m not sure.
Anyway, this next week, we’re going to start working on podcasting the Sunday services, and I’m doing a powerpoint presentation for the first time. It should be awesome. The place is looking better each week. I’m going to start working on the website again (but not tonight) and add in a page about the new space we’re working to manifest.
Which is the OTHER really cool thing – we went yesterday to look at the upstairs space that we had rather decided was the place for us, and the people in the leasing office told us about an entirely different space that is at the end of the center. The space was a dry cleaner (not a plant, just a drop-off) The main room has an exposed brick wall, stained glass windows, a good size, has two nice nooks behind the main room, a small room that’s actually a large closet, but that would work for private counseling sessions (I think) a fair sized bathroom, and a SMOKING PATIO in back. AWESOME. The two small windows have flower boxes outside, which just call out for attention, and there’s a welcoming walk-up area under an overhang in front. The front wall is the perfect size for a lovely sign with our logo on it, and it’s got a great energy.
I think we’ll be making a proposal on it by March 10, and then, we’ll be working out the details. I’m already excited – I want everyone’s creative juices flowing in how we can paint, how we can put up lighting, wall decorations, putting together the coffee bar, putting together the little bookstore area, the couseling office, the flowers, the hallway, everything .. it’s just SO EXCITING.
And, eight months ago, we were on the verge of folding up shop, sort of.
Okay, it’s time for me to get some sleep – and work on having another productive day tomorrow.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Interesting day
I did get a lot of stupid little stuff done today. T came back and re-fixed Ruby's stereo. I picked up the dry cleaning, had Ruby washed, did some cleaning. Got the halogen lamps in the living room replaced. I did some laundry.
Was expecting to spend the day working on Fabulair today. That didn't happen. Hung out with Denny a while today.
Barney spent his day doing his usual; getting into whatever path I thought of taking and then dashing out of the way. At one point tonight, he started screaming with anxiety as I tried to get past him into the kitchen. Uh, hello? If you didn't STAND right where I was heading?
Tomorrow is the only Sunday that I have without speaking obligation until late April. No one else from the board can be counted to be there; this is turning into an obligation for the price of a half tank of gas a week. So far, each Sunday that I arrive, I have to clean up after the Friday morning class, which each week but one has left the coffee pots with stale coffee, grounds in the coffee makers, trash left in the baskets, chairs put wherever they happened to drag them, whatever else put wherever they put them.
Thus, I have to abate the dreadful scent in the air, clean the bathrooms, make fresh coffee, clean the kitchen area, put the chairs back, put whatever the accoutrements moved about back where they were, clean up whatever crap is on the floor, and get ready to greet people as they come in. I have almost no time to get myself centered.
How is it that people STILL act like 13 year olds, expecting someone else to clean up after them? Janitor, planner, speaker, facilitator, thinker, leader, answerer of questions. All this and more for a dollar ninety-nine a day.
When I combine that with the large part of my client base being worthless (except where it involves asking for free advice on how to solve any problem, big or small,) I keep wondering - why should I keep doing any of this? Why should I beat my brains out for the joy of wondering until the last minute whether I'll be able to keep a roof over my head or gas in the car?
It's all without an upside. At least, that's the way it seems to me tonight.
I don't know whether I should stop pushing against things that don't work and find another way, or whether I am supposed to keep working to make things that have never worked happen.
This is a stupid movie about an important topic.
I should have called the WMoP two days ago. I don't know why I can't bring myself to do it.
Psycho Judy started calling today. She's been canned from yet another job, and has landed herself one here in Houston with the new professional soccer team. I predict that's going to last about six and a half seconds before they realize that her resume is fake, and she can't do anything - and can't maintain records that will allow them to function in any reasonable way. She wanted me to put aside our differences, because she has some work for me - meaning that she's in over her head again, and she wants me to rescue her ass by doing her job for her for about $100 a week on sub-contract while she collects the real paycheck and has health insurance.
I didn't call her back. She called again and left a message about putting the past in the past, and basically said that I was the one with the problem.
I reiterate, PJ - when you cough up a FedEx generated airbill from May showing me that you did in fact send me the things you promised for six weeks and prove that you're not a liar of the highest order, I'll talk to you. Until then, don't call me, 'cause I'm not taking the calls.
Chuck (barbie bear) had a proto-date today. He looked awfully cute in his claret jacket and coordinating shirt. I guess it went well, because he was gone for about a week and a half. I was expecting him to go with me to Claudia and Johanna's CD release party at Ovations - and, when he told me he would really RATHER take a nap, but would drink a pot of coffee if I really wanted to go - I had already mentally thrown in the towel and figured that I was again without support, and had decided not to attend.
I can't even figure out how to give this pattern voice - I'm just frustrated and pissed off and feeling like nothing works for me. Which, interestingly enough, is EXACTLY what I told the red headed butt grabbing English practitioner eight years ago when I started this whole process.
Funny that I'm still right there.
I don't quite know what to do with that revelation, but it sure is interesting.
E keeps encouraging me to move to YVR. It sounds more and more appealing, about six and a half seconds after I finish my prac training.
Was expecting to spend the day working on Fabulair today. That didn't happen. Hung out with Denny a while today.
Barney spent his day doing his usual; getting into whatever path I thought of taking and then dashing out of the way. At one point tonight, he started screaming with anxiety as I tried to get past him into the kitchen. Uh, hello? If you didn't STAND right where I was heading?
Tomorrow is the only Sunday that I have without speaking obligation until late April. No one else from the board can be counted to be there; this is turning into an obligation for the price of a half tank of gas a week. So far, each Sunday that I arrive, I have to clean up after the Friday morning class, which each week but one has left the coffee pots with stale coffee, grounds in the coffee makers, trash left in the baskets, chairs put wherever they happened to drag them, whatever else put wherever they put them.
Thus, I have to abate the dreadful scent in the air, clean the bathrooms, make fresh coffee, clean the kitchen area, put the chairs back, put whatever the accoutrements moved about back where they were, clean up whatever crap is on the floor, and get ready to greet people as they come in. I have almost no time to get myself centered.
How is it that people STILL act like 13 year olds, expecting someone else to clean up after them? Janitor, planner, speaker, facilitator, thinker, leader, answerer of questions. All this and more for a dollar ninety-nine a day.
When I combine that with the large part of my client base being worthless (except where it involves asking for free advice on how to solve any problem, big or small,) I keep wondering - why should I keep doing any of this? Why should I beat my brains out for the joy of wondering until the last minute whether I'll be able to keep a roof over my head or gas in the car?
It's all without an upside. At least, that's the way it seems to me tonight.
I don't know whether I should stop pushing against things that don't work and find another way, or whether I am supposed to keep working to make things that have never worked happen.
This is a stupid movie about an important topic.
I should have called the WMoP two days ago. I don't know why I can't bring myself to do it.
Psycho Judy started calling today. She's been canned from yet another job, and has landed herself one here in Houston with the new professional soccer team. I predict that's going to last about six and a half seconds before they realize that her resume is fake, and she can't do anything - and can't maintain records that will allow them to function in any reasonable way. She wanted me to put aside our differences, because she has some work for me - meaning that she's in over her head again, and she wants me to rescue her ass by doing her job for her for about $100 a week on sub-contract while she collects the real paycheck and has health insurance.
I didn't call her back. She called again and left a message about putting the past in the past, and basically said that I was the one with the problem.
I reiterate, PJ - when you cough up a FedEx generated airbill from May showing me that you did in fact send me the things you promised for six weeks and prove that you're not a liar of the highest order, I'll talk to you. Until then, don't call me, 'cause I'm not taking the calls.
Chuck (barbie bear) had a proto-date today. He looked awfully cute in his claret jacket and coordinating shirt. I guess it went well, because he was gone for about a week and a half. I was expecting him to go with me to Claudia and Johanna's CD release party at Ovations - and, when he told me he would really RATHER take a nap, but would drink a pot of coffee if I really wanted to go - I had already mentally thrown in the towel and figured that I was again without support, and had decided not to attend.
I can't even figure out how to give this pattern voice - I'm just frustrated and pissed off and feeling like nothing works for me. Which, interestingly enough, is EXACTLY what I told the red headed butt grabbing English practitioner eight years ago when I started this whole process.
Funny that I'm still right there.
I don't quite know what to do with that revelation, but it sure is interesting.
E keeps encouraging me to move to YVR. It sounds more and more appealing, about six and a half seconds after I finish my prac training.
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