I have a simple little trick I've used over the years to help recall some one's name. It has been surprisingly effective. It works when I know I know the name and it's on the tip of my tongue.
When that happens I slowly go through the alphabet thinking of each letters sound. For example, "A" could be Ann or Arron or Aronquil, note how they have a similar sound.
It has saved my butt a bunch of times, just the other day I was trying to remember my wife's name and used this trick. Sure enough, Harriet's name jumped into my mind.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Crime Spree
I had no idea how serious the crime is in this area. I felt living in the Bible belt, in a semi-rural area we would be relatively safe. Such does not seem to be the case.
The weekly newspaper State Port Pilot publishes the "Sheriff's Report." It lists the officer reports for the previous week. One report really caught my eye. It seems some unscrupulous dastardly thief stole two cans of roach spray from a business. Value of the goods was placed at $5.25. Another business in the same block reports two packs of cigars stolen, valued at $600.
I'm not a cigar smoker but am a little surprised at the value of those two packs of cigars.
Always thought I'd make a good police detective with my superior analytical skills. Thinking about these thefts led me to a shrewed surmise that it was probably Bubba planning to go fishing. Roach spray for the bugs and cigars to relax while waiting for a bite.
The weekly newspaper State Port Pilot publishes the "Sheriff's Report." It lists the officer reports for the previous week. One report really caught my eye. It seems some unscrupulous dastardly thief stole two cans of roach spray from a business. Value of the goods was placed at $5.25. Another business in the same block reports two packs of cigars stolen, valued at $600.
I'm not a cigar smoker but am a little surprised at the value of those two packs of cigars.
Always thought I'd make a good police detective with my superior analytical skills. Thinking about these thefts led me to a shrewed surmise that it was probably Bubba planning to go fishing. Roach spray for the bugs and cigars to relax while waiting for a bite.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Zeus
Given the children murdered by pit bulls in the Bay Area and the increasingly stringent laws related to their ownership, a news item about such an attack near Wilmington caught my eye.
It seems that a part pit bull part something dog had just bitten a third person since 2004. After the second attack, the dog was declared dangerous and got a tattoo. I wasn't certain whether this was rite of passage into the ranks of dangerous dogs or what the designation meant. Perhaps he had arrived at a new exalted level of dogdom. The dog received that status when its second victim complained.
Now the dog, Zeus, has bitten again. The dog is being released to its owner and if its third victim complains, a panel will review the circumstances and it dog may face further restrictions. That's it?
I am not a fan at all of these dangerous breeds. Their owner's always say how loving the animal is but that loving animal has a deserved reputation of violent attacks. Why own one? I admit that if I were living in a very dangerous neighborhood I might think about having one but that is seldom the case.
I really think people that own these dogs have psychological issues that go beyond their desire for protection. Anger? Perhaps. Meanwhile, Zeus has another notch on his collar and it may only a matter of time before his next attack seriously injures or kills a child.
Zeus lives in a mobile home park in a nearby suburb to Wilmington - I don't see it as being a dangerous environment.
It seems that a part pit bull part something dog had just bitten a third person since 2004. After the second attack, the dog was declared dangerous and got a tattoo. I wasn't certain whether this was rite of passage into the ranks of dangerous dogs or what the designation meant. Perhaps he had arrived at a new exalted level of dogdom. The dog received that status when its second victim complained.
Now the dog, Zeus, has bitten again. The dog is being released to its owner and if its third victim complains, a panel will review the circumstances and it dog may face further restrictions. That's it?
I am not a fan at all of these dangerous breeds. Their owner's always say how loving the animal is but that loving animal has a deserved reputation of violent attacks. Why own one? I admit that if I were living in a very dangerous neighborhood I might think about having one but that is seldom the case.
I really think people that own these dogs have psychological issues that go beyond their desire for protection. Anger? Perhaps. Meanwhile, Zeus has another notch on his collar and it may only a matter of time before his next attack seriously injures or kills a child.
Zeus lives in a mobile home park in a nearby suburb to Wilmington - I don't see it as being a dangerous environment.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tests
Hazel is teaching at the local community college, Perhaps I should ask her this:
"If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?"
"If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?"
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Obama's Special Interest
Hillary and Obama are advertising heavily here in North Carolina. Nice to know we are important. NC didn't push their primary up to January 1st and now it has paid off.
Anyway, noted that Obama is announcing in his ad that he "doesn't take money from oil companies." I guess he counts on us being ignorant that it is ILLEGAL for him to take money from oil companies and those of us that know it, won't feel insulted stupid claim. He doesn't say anything about taking money from oil executives though, and that is legal.
Anyway, noted that Obama is announcing in his ad that he "doesn't take money from oil companies." I guess he counts on us being ignorant that it is ILLEGAL for him to take money from oil companies and those of us that know it, won't feel insulted stupid claim. He doesn't say anything about taking money from oil executives though, and that is legal.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Barack Obama and The National Anthem
Last September Barack Obama was photographed during the National Anthem. He did not have his hand over his heart as he was supposed to. Today I received this email which had been copied to a multitude of people:
HELLO PEOPLE IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
Maybe someone needs to tell OBAMA his actions are not acceptable and if he does not want to accept the AMERICAN way he should not be running for President of the UNITED STATES!!!!!!! If you LOVE your
Country and want to keep it FREE then send this to everyone in your
address book.
The following, all by itself, should sink Barack Obama's candidacy. He has said, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides.' If he were to be President of the United States , exactly whose side would he represent?
From LtCol. Pete Ginn, USAF (Ret.).....
Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, 'During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.'
'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,' Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'
'I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial.' - Barack Obama.
.........................................
Comment:
If someone had told me 64 years ago, as I was roaring down the runway in the
most beautiful airplane in the world, that I would see our country subjected to
one of the most disgusting Presidential elections imaginable, I would have told
them they were crazy as hell....
What in the world have we come to?
Ed Evans
MGySgt., USMC (Ret.) & Pastor
The internet provides a means of communication unparalleled in our history. With it, however, comes new responsibilities. One is to fairly evaluate and confirm the accuracy of the information before dessiminating it to thousands. Therefore go to snopes and see what they say.
I am not a Obama fan but it behooves me to validate the information I am given in order to make as fair and considered judgement I can. Blindly accepting scandulous rumor does an immense disservice to Obama, to myself and to our country.
Oh and by the way, I haven't always placed my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. Have you? If you didn't, does that mean you don't value the sacrifice of our service people or honor our country. C'mon, be reasonable.
HELLO PEOPLE IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
Maybe someone needs to tell OBAMA his actions are not acceptable and if he does not want to accept the AMERICAN way he should not be running for President of the UNITED STATES!!!!!!! If you LOVE your
Country and want to keep it FREE then send this to everyone in your
address book.
The following, all by itself, should sink Barack Obama's candidacy. He has said, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides.' If he were to be President of the United States , exactly whose side would he represent?
From LtCol. Pete Ginn, USAF (Ret.).....
Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, 'During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.'
'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,' Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'
'I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial.' - Barack Obama.
.........................................
Comment:
If someone had told me 64 years ago, as I was roaring down the runway in the
most beautiful airplane in the world, that I would see our country subjected to
one of the most disgusting Presidential elections imaginable, I would have told
them they were crazy as hell....
What in the world have we come to?
Ed Evans
MGySgt., USMC (Ret.) & Pastor
The internet provides a means of communication unparalleled in our history. With it, however, comes new responsibilities. One is to fairly evaluate and confirm the accuracy of the information before dessiminating it to thousands. Therefore go to snopes and see what they say.
I am not a Obama fan but it behooves me to validate the information I am given in order to make as fair and considered judgement I can. Blindly accepting scandulous rumor does an immense disservice to Obama, to myself and to our country.
Oh and by the way, I haven't always placed my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. Have you? If you didn't, does that mean you don't value the sacrifice of our service people or honor our country. C'mon, be reasonable.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Who Loves You Most?
Put your dog and your wife in the trunk of the car. Leave them there for an hour and then let them out and see who is happiest to see you.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
On Being A Manager
I recall the struggle I went through when faced with the dismissal of an employee. I'd worry that they wouldn't find another job, their ego would suffer, their family would suffer, etc. And, to be honest, how do to it gently so they wouldn't be hurt. Thus I tended to delay the inevitable at a cost to others.
As the years passed I came to have a different perspective. First was the evaluation. If the employee was sincerely trying and was simply, for some reason, unable to perform the job, I still sought to terminate them with compassion and gently as I could. If, on the other hand, they were showing me that they were deliberately undermining the company and employees through their behavior and actions - the end would come swiftly and with little gentleness. We are each responsible for our actions and behavior as adults.
The primary factor that I kept to the forefront of my mind was the other employees. Was I being fair to them to continue the employment of someone that couldn't or wouldn't do their job? I needed to respect those who showed maturity, integrity and effort.
Perhaps the person I was dismissing was trying to do their best, had a family to support, etc., these were never easy but I reminded myself the folks remaining had families and had their own life problems. A company is not a counseling center (normally) or there to support people beyond that which could reasonably be done and still achieve its profit making goals. A company not making a profit is not serving the needs of anyone.
What struck me was how relieved everyone else was when I did terminate the person. Either it was relief at having a dysfunctional personality out of their midst or relief that they no longer had to watch a train wreck in progress.
Therefore my mantra was, who am I supporting and respecting. Are they doing what must be done? It was never just me and the other person, it was the entire group.
As the years passed I came to have a different perspective. First was the evaluation. If the employee was sincerely trying and was simply, for some reason, unable to perform the job, I still sought to terminate them with compassion and gently as I could. If, on the other hand, they were showing me that they were deliberately undermining the company and employees through their behavior and actions - the end would come swiftly and with little gentleness. We are each responsible for our actions and behavior as adults.
The primary factor that I kept to the forefront of my mind was the other employees. Was I being fair to them to continue the employment of someone that couldn't or wouldn't do their job? I needed to respect those who showed maturity, integrity and effort.
Perhaps the person I was dismissing was trying to do their best, had a family to support, etc., these were never easy but I reminded myself the folks remaining had families and had their own life problems. A company is not a counseling center (normally) or there to support people beyond that which could reasonably be done and still achieve its profit making goals. A company not making a profit is not serving the needs of anyone.
What struck me was how relieved everyone else was when I did terminate the person. Either it was relief at having a dysfunctional personality out of their midst or relief that they no longer had to watch a train wreck in progress.
Therefore my mantra was, who am I supporting and respecting. Are they doing what must be done? It was never just me and the other person, it was the entire group.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
A Great Website
Once in awhile I rearn of a website that belongs in the top 100 of my much most enjoyed. Its content is unique and of great value. Consider these:
Check it out.
Check it out.
Robotics
The science of robotics has coming a long way. When you consider the technical issues involved, advances displayed by this video are incredible. Check this out.
And, of course, others seek to compete and further the science. When that happens, new problems arise. I felt a pang of sympathy for the inventor of this robot.
And, of course, others seek to compete and further the science. When that happens, new problems arise. I felt a pang of sympathy for the inventor of this robot.
George
My brother George came to visit for a couple days. He and wife Carolyn were on their way to Florida where they will visit our sister. The siblings in my family don't get together often but we love each other and I can honestly say we have never had conflict among ourselves.
Perhaps that is because we were born several years apart but I don't think that is the reason. I believe it is more that we are a product of our parents rearing, they found that right balance that permitted us to live our separate lives without jealousy or envy. In some ways people may not see us as a tight loving family, we have moved hundreds of miles apart, only see each other every few years, speak on the phone every few months. We have gone our separate ways but still carry a place in our heart not sullied with bad memories, anger or envy.
We love each other and it is always good when we meet.
Perhaps that is because we were born several years apart but I don't think that is the reason. I believe it is more that we are a product of our parents rearing, they found that right balance that permitted us to live our separate lives without jealousy or envy. In some ways people may not see us as a tight loving family, we have moved hundreds of miles apart, only see each other every few years, speak on the phone every few months. We have gone our separate ways but still carry a place in our heart not sullied with bad memories, anger or envy.
We love each other and it is always good when we meet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)