I'm back. Sorry for the lack of posts, last week I was in a transition class that kept me from computers (through sheer lack of time). It was an awesome class and put out a lot of good information. Other than that, I have been kept pretty busy.
I have done some reflecting and realized that I have been allowing to many distractions to come into my life. They crept in slowly until, suddenly, the things that I needed to do were on the back burner to things I wanted to do strictly for selfish reasons. I allowed myself to be distracted by entertainment websites and useless browsing instead of actually putting effort into the things that I needed to get done. I would justify what I was doing by telling myself that there was no rush until there was. After last week, I realized that I needed to refocus. I realized that I needed to prioritize what I was doing and start actually following up with what was happening.
The class I was in convinced me that I need to start focusing on what I can do to direct my future and to figure out where I am going. I allowed myself to be convinced that living in the moment and not worrying about the future was the best way to live. Why worry when you can enjoy the now? turns out, if you ride the wave, you eventually crash into the shore. If you direct yourself just a bit, you can swim out onto the beach instead of the rocks. I will continue to post daily as it is a way of organizing my thoughts and communicating who I am, but I will be eliminating a few of my regular features to allow me a little more freedom in what I write. I will continue to have at least one day a week where I try my hand at humor (I get mixed reviews from my family) to ensure that this doesn't become a blog to cry to, I just won't have it on a regular day.
I thank you for your support and continued readership. I will try to make sure I continue to touch on current events and other things that are going on in my life. Have a great day and keep on trucking.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Read the comments.
Every morning, I read the news on the Internet. Some of the stories I read because they are new and interesting. Some I read because they are continuations of what I have already read. But no matter which one I read, I always look at the comments. I probably shouldn't, because it just convinces me that there are a lot of idiots out there. Some people say things that aren't true to get rises out of people (recognized by the way they repeat whatever comment got the worst rating before theirs or by stating the exact opposite of the most liked comment). Some comments are actually thought out and coherent. These are the comments I tend to pay the most attention to as they are the ones that reveal the underlying beliefs of society. Try it sometime, you may find yourself amazed at just how much our society has declined.
Take the recent ruling by a judge here in Washington. The ruling was that the names of the people who signed the petition to put the issue of gay rights on the ballot should be released to the public. The arguments for and against were heated. Those for the release cited that you signed at your own risk and thus had no protection. That they had the right to avoid doing business with those that signed it. They also said that this didn't constitute harassment or vengeance as it was just a part of the free market. Those against the release of names cited the harassment that would result from the release of names. It amazes me that we can redefine things to meet our narrow views of the world. Granted, I have done this myself, but I also corrected myself when the truth was pointed out to me. How can you say that choosing not to do business with someone as a result of a petition they signed is not retaliation for signing the petition, is beyond me. It is a scare tactic. If you don't sign on the line for the community watch and agree to pay for it, we will ensure you don't get business. That is a felony as it is a protection racket. How is that different from saying that because you signed that petition, I will make sure that no one does business with you? It isn't and yet it is being touted as just the price of a free market. Amazing isn't it.
Looking back at what I wrote, I realized I just gave you a second installment of Manic Monday by accident. Sorry, But I had to say it. Have a great day and don't let it get to you.
Take the recent ruling by a judge here in Washington. The ruling was that the names of the people who signed the petition to put the issue of gay rights on the ballot should be released to the public. The arguments for and against were heated. Those for the release cited that you signed at your own risk and thus had no protection. That they had the right to avoid doing business with those that signed it. They also said that this didn't constitute harassment or vengeance as it was just a part of the free market. Those against the release of names cited the harassment that would result from the release of names. It amazes me that we can redefine things to meet our narrow views of the world. Granted, I have done this myself, but I also corrected myself when the truth was pointed out to me. How can you say that choosing not to do business with someone as a result of a petition they signed is not retaliation for signing the petition, is beyond me. It is a scare tactic. If you don't sign on the line for the community watch and agree to pay for it, we will ensure you don't get business. That is a felony as it is a protection racket. How is that different from saying that because you signed that petition, I will make sure that no one does business with you? It isn't and yet it is being touted as just the price of a free market. Amazing isn't it.
Looking back at what I wrote, I realized I just gave you a second installment of Manic Monday by accident. Sorry, But I had to say it. Have a great day and don't let it get to you.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Manic Monday: Occupy Wall Street: You got the wrong address.
First off, I would like to apologize for not posting last week. I was busy and decided to put the blog on the bottom of the list. After a week off, I feel as though I was missing something so I am back.
Today is Monday, which means, Manic Monday! Today, I think I will tackle this Occupy Wall Street thing. After reading what it's about and what the protesters are saying, I find myself of two minds. On the one hand I sort of agree with what they are saying, but on the other, I find it to be overridden by angst against our system. Allow me to explain.
The parts I agree with are the some of the base points. The first being that the majority of Americans have the minority voice in our government. Our Government tends to listen to the biggest donors (this is done by both Democrats and Republicans), which are not the majority. How many middle class families can afford $1,500 a plate fundraising dinners? The Democrats like to point out that the republicans are the most vocal for these businesses, but you have to ask yourself, are the Democrats really against them? They had 2 years in which to raise taxes on them and they waited for the inevitable swing to blame it on the Republicans. I agree that we should raise the taxes (or at least remove the deductions they use to not pay taxes) on the rich.
The second thing I agree with is the underlying message we are feeding our kids these days. The one that says you have to go to college to get a job. Years ago, college was what you used to make yourself stand out. You got your degree in the field you were going to work in and you worked in that field. You followed it all the way and became as close to an expert in the field you wanted to work in as you could, then you worked in it. Now, we are told to, "just get a degree." Really, what in? It doesn't matter, the employers "just want to see that you are capable of learning." I looked it up (it was quoted to me so I had to), less than 30% of college grads are working in the field in which they got their degree. Granted, Lawyers don't necessarily have to have a pre-law degree to go to law school, so they aren't technically working in the field they got their degree in, but it is still a statistic that I find disgusting. Especially when you add on the fact that the average college grad owes $30,000 in student loans. Couple that with a tight market and you start your career in debt and behind. Not a recipe for success. Let's be realistic, we don't need a degree to be work in a mail room or as a receptionist. These two positions were the starting points of many a millionaires careers. The other side of this is that these college grads are led to believe that their degrees rate a higher starting pay. The sad truth is that this is false. When you have 20 people vying for the same job, the person who will do it most economically (cheaply and good enough), gets it. The guy that tells the hirer that he will do it for whatever and has the ability, will get it over the guy with the degree that demands a higher salary. That's just econ 101.
Now for the tough part. I disagree with the Occupy Wall Street movement on a couple of issues. The first being the ire directed at inequality in pay. Yes, there is inequality in pay. This happens in a society such as we have. The rich must be taxed. If you tax their income, they will keep it in the company as much as possible. If you tax the company profits, the company will put the money into expanding the company and thus create more jobs. Simple economics. Yes, this is contrary to what the republicans preach, but it is the truth. This means the problem isn't with the CEO's or the wealthy, it's with our government. The Idea that all pay should be equal, or close to it, is a communist ideal. To protest that corporations should share their wealth, is ludicrous. You have to reward innovation and business sense. Failure to do so, will lead to loss of business and thus loss of jobs. Allow the rich to amass wealth, but at the same time, tax them in such a way as to aid the nation. The difficult part is finding the balance. We have to find a balance where we tax the wealthy enough that they find it better to reinvest in society, but not so much that they leave altogether. The same with businesses.
The second thing I disagree with is where it is located. As you can tell from my comments above, this should be a Occupy Washington movement. Camp out on the capital's steps, in front of the White House, and at the congressional offices. The CEO's are laughing at you because you are ineffectual in your actions. Move to Washington, and they may start quaking in their boots. Right now, the CEO's are finding your actions laughable because, while you may inconvenience them a little bit, they are still raking in the cash. While you may draw attention to yourselves, you are not inconveniencing anyone who can be swayed by your stance. True, the media is following you, but you are railing at the CEO's to change. True, some elected officials are listening and commenting, but they aren't afraid because you haven't targeted them. Move you your protest to Washington and start naming who is donating to who. Start pointing out the money and what needs to be done, not just in Washington, but in their home states. You can affect the elected officials' jobs with your protest by pointing out how they are stopping the necessary change. You can't do that by protesting the guys who worked their way up to the top and managed a company that made money. they just aren't going to listen because you can't affect their pay.
That's all I have for today. I know some of what I said is controversial, I just ask that you be respectful in how you respond. Thank you.
Today is Monday, which means, Manic Monday! Today, I think I will tackle this Occupy Wall Street thing. After reading what it's about and what the protesters are saying, I find myself of two minds. On the one hand I sort of agree with what they are saying, but on the other, I find it to be overridden by angst against our system. Allow me to explain.
The parts I agree with are the some of the base points. The first being that the majority of Americans have the minority voice in our government. Our Government tends to listen to the biggest donors (this is done by both Democrats and Republicans), which are not the majority. How many middle class families can afford $1,500 a plate fundraising dinners? The Democrats like to point out that the republicans are the most vocal for these businesses, but you have to ask yourself, are the Democrats really against them? They had 2 years in which to raise taxes on them and they waited for the inevitable swing to blame it on the Republicans. I agree that we should raise the taxes (or at least remove the deductions they use to not pay taxes) on the rich.
The second thing I agree with is the underlying message we are feeding our kids these days. The one that says you have to go to college to get a job. Years ago, college was what you used to make yourself stand out. You got your degree in the field you were going to work in and you worked in that field. You followed it all the way and became as close to an expert in the field you wanted to work in as you could, then you worked in it. Now, we are told to, "just get a degree." Really, what in? It doesn't matter, the employers "just want to see that you are capable of learning." I looked it up (it was quoted to me so I had to), less than 30% of college grads are working in the field in which they got their degree. Granted, Lawyers don't necessarily have to have a pre-law degree to go to law school, so they aren't technically working in the field they got their degree in, but it is still a statistic that I find disgusting. Especially when you add on the fact that the average college grad owes $30,000 in student loans. Couple that with a tight market and you start your career in debt and behind. Not a recipe for success. Let's be realistic, we don't need a degree to be work in a mail room or as a receptionist. These two positions were the starting points of many a millionaires careers. The other side of this is that these college grads are led to believe that their degrees rate a higher starting pay. The sad truth is that this is false. When you have 20 people vying for the same job, the person who will do it most economically (cheaply and good enough), gets it. The guy that tells the hirer that he will do it for whatever and has the ability, will get it over the guy with the degree that demands a higher salary. That's just econ 101.
Now for the tough part. I disagree with the Occupy Wall Street movement on a couple of issues. The first being the ire directed at inequality in pay. Yes, there is inequality in pay. This happens in a society such as we have. The rich must be taxed. If you tax their income, they will keep it in the company as much as possible. If you tax the company profits, the company will put the money into expanding the company and thus create more jobs. Simple economics. Yes, this is contrary to what the republicans preach, but it is the truth. This means the problem isn't with the CEO's or the wealthy, it's with our government. The Idea that all pay should be equal, or close to it, is a communist ideal. To protest that corporations should share their wealth, is ludicrous. You have to reward innovation and business sense. Failure to do so, will lead to loss of business and thus loss of jobs. Allow the rich to amass wealth, but at the same time, tax them in such a way as to aid the nation. The difficult part is finding the balance. We have to find a balance where we tax the wealthy enough that they find it better to reinvest in society, but not so much that they leave altogether. The same with businesses.
The second thing I disagree with is where it is located. As you can tell from my comments above, this should be a Occupy Washington movement. Camp out on the capital's steps, in front of the White House, and at the congressional offices. The CEO's are laughing at you because you are ineffectual in your actions. Move to Washington, and they may start quaking in their boots. Right now, the CEO's are finding your actions laughable because, while you may inconvenience them a little bit, they are still raking in the cash. While you may draw attention to yourselves, you are not inconveniencing anyone who can be swayed by your stance. True, the media is following you, but you are railing at the CEO's to change. True, some elected officials are listening and commenting, but they aren't afraid because you haven't targeted them. Move you your protest to Washington and start naming who is donating to who. Start pointing out the money and what needs to be done, not just in Washington, but in their home states. You can affect the elected officials' jobs with your protest by pointing out how they are stopping the necessary change. You can't do that by protesting the guys who worked their way up to the top and managed a company that made money. they just aren't going to listen because you can't affect their pay.
That's all I have for today. I know some of what I said is controversial, I just ask that you be respectful in how you respond. Thank you.
Friday, October 7, 2011
See you Tuesday.
The wife and I managed to figure out our phone issues. Come December (the end of our current contract) we are going to shift over to a net 10 phone. This is due to the fact that we don't use them all that much. This just makes a bit more sense than a monthly bill and a lengthy contract. Especially sense we don't know where we will be in a year after I retire. It just makes sense to have a pay as you go plan that reflects what we use, vice a contract that is more than we need. The good thing is our number should not change so the only inconvenience will be to us as we have to transfer all of our contacts. But that is in December and we are still in October.
I really don't have a lot to go over right now, so here does nothing. I am hoping I get off a bit early today as I have been the late guy 2 times a week for the past two weeks. It doesn't make me any happier that I was here until 1430 last Friday when everyone else left at 1015. But, then again, it is my job and no one ever said it was fair. Why have one standard when you can have two. That's just me complaining though. It's not like it's a hard job. Just boring and long. Makes it all the more annoying when you see others leaving at noon and you are stuck here all day every day, just because you refuse to make up reasons to leave early. Oh well. I am sure there is more to it than I realize.
I hope to be able to enjoy this weekend. That may not be possible since they rewrote the overtime schedule. Turns out this is now my weekend. If they need military for overtime, I will be one of those they use. I am currently only scheduled as on call Monday, which usually means I won't have to worry about it. It isn't official yet though, so I may end up working this weekend. That sucks a bit because I wanted to take the kids over to Seattle Monday since we just don't have time to do anything as a family with our current schedule. We'll see how it works though. I hate disappointing my kids.
Speaking of the kids, I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday. Ended up one short of 6 dozen. If I had been a little neater as I made them, I probably would have had that last cookie. Oh well, you can't win them all.
That's about it for this week. Just a reminder that, with Columbus day next Monday, there won't be a Manic Monday post (unless I decide to get angry Tuesday). Have a great weekend and smile at whatever comes to mind. Enjoy.
I really don't have a lot to go over right now, so here does nothing. I am hoping I get off a bit early today as I have been the late guy 2 times a week for the past two weeks. It doesn't make me any happier that I was here until 1430 last Friday when everyone else left at 1015. But, then again, it is my job and no one ever said it was fair. Why have one standard when you can have two. That's just me complaining though. It's not like it's a hard job. Just boring and long. Makes it all the more annoying when you see others leaving at noon and you are stuck here all day every day, just because you refuse to make up reasons to leave early. Oh well. I am sure there is more to it than I realize.
I hope to be able to enjoy this weekend. That may not be possible since they rewrote the overtime schedule. Turns out this is now my weekend. If they need military for overtime, I will be one of those they use. I am currently only scheduled as on call Monday, which usually means I won't have to worry about it. It isn't official yet though, so I may end up working this weekend. That sucks a bit because I wanted to take the kids over to Seattle Monday since we just don't have time to do anything as a family with our current schedule. We'll see how it works though. I hate disappointing my kids.
Speaking of the kids, I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday. Ended up one short of 6 dozen. If I had been a little neater as I made them, I probably would have had that last cookie. Oh well, you can't win them all.
That's about it for this week. Just a reminder that, with Columbus day next Monday, there won't be a Manic Monday post (unless I decide to get angry Tuesday). Have a great weekend and smile at whatever comes to mind. Enjoy.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Priorities: Find yours.
Let's start with a notice. I reread what I wrote yesterday and found quite a few glaring grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. I have since corrected these and must apologize to any of you who care about those things. The rest of you who didn't notice, well, ignore the first three sentences.
Today I wanted to share with you some things that have been going through my head for a while. Then I thought about it and realized that may be a little gross, so I decided to give you this instead. Try and imagine the one thing that would change your life the most. Think on it. Don't just grab the easy, more money. Try and think of something that would make a substantial change. Something that involves more than paying the bills. Something that would make a difference in how you thought of yourself and how you acted. True, vast amounts of money might do that, but would it be a change you would be proud of?
We have all had the dream of being rich and not having to worry about money. Turns out, no matter what you do, you will eventually worry about money. It's just the way we are. If you don't have it, you worry about not having it and what you need it for. If have some but not a lot, you worry that what you are doing with it is right. If you have a lot of it, you worry about other people trying to take it and how you spend it. True, the worries are different, but then, so are we.
I like to go through this mental exercise every once in while, just to remind myself that money doesn't end all our problems, it just changes what those problems are. It becomes more of an attitude adjustment at that point. Yes, I would love to have a few hundred thousand dollars to get myself out of debt and living comfortably, but how would that change me and would I want that change? There is always something I can improve on and money is not something that is key to those improvements. Attitude is. I find it funny that people think that they would be better people if they just had more money. Not true. If you are a jerk (to put it kindly) before you have money, you tend to be a jerk after you get it. Money is an amplifier. It usually amplifies the trait you least like about yourself. The guy who never paid for a date, he spent all his money on cars, houses, and parties. The guy who was rude to the homeless, he ignores his old friends because they can't afford to hang with him.
There are exceptions, there always are. But usually, what you see as exceptions, are just amplifications of the rule. The couple that won the lotto and founded and ran several charities, they were active volunteers in their community before they won. The guy who payed off his debts and the debts of his family, he was struggling to get by and paid his debts before he fed himself. Money amplifies not only our personality, it amplifies our priorities.
In the bible, it says, "the love of money is the root of all evil." This has been perverted to "money is the root of evil." While to a degree this is true, I think it is more accurate to say, "money amplifies evil." The more money you have, the more obvious your priorities. Ask yourself what you would do with the money if you won the lottery. Would you invest it to make more? Maybe you would pay off all your debt first. Maybe you would give a bit to charity. Or would you just spend it on a bunch of toys? Where you put that money tells a lot about where your priorities are. What you find important is where you will put your time and energy as well as your money. By asking yourself these questions and being honest with the answers, you will find what you deem worthy of your time.
Now for the clincher. Where is your family on the list? Is it first? If not, what are you giving up your family for? Now is the time to adjust your priorities, not when you win the lottery. If your priorities are right now, they will be right later.
In closing, I just want to say that, by investing in things that are worthwhile (I can't think of anything more worthwhile than my God and Family), you can't help but be content. I am not saying you will be monetarily rich or that it will be easy. I am saying that even when things are tough, you will be able to find a way to smile. That investment will give you the strength you need to get through those tough times. Take a second and discover your priorities. Better to adjust them now and find contentment, then be miserable when you find your priorities left you alone.
Today I wanted to share with you some things that have been going through my head for a while. Then I thought about it and realized that may be a little gross, so I decided to give you this instead. Try and imagine the one thing that would change your life the most. Think on it. Don't just grab the easy, more money. Try and think of something that would make a substantial change. Something that involves more than paying the bills. Something that would make a difference in how you thought of yourself and how you acted. True, vast amounts of money might do that, but would it be a change you would be proud of?
We have all had the dream of being rich and not having to worry about money. Turns out, no matter what you do, you will eventually worry about money. It's just the way we are. If you don't have it, you worry about not having it and what you need it for. If have some but not a lot, you worry that what you are doing with it is right. If you have a lot of it, you worry about other people trying to take it and how you spend it. True, the worries are different, but then, so are we.
I like to go through this mental exercise every once in while, just to remind myself that money doesn't end all our problems, it just changes what those problems are. It becomes more of an attitude adjustment at that point. Yes, I would love to have a few hundred thousand dollars to get myself out of debt and living comfortably, but how would that change me and would I want that change? There is always something I can improve on and money is not something that is key to those improvements. Attitude is. I find it funny that people think that they would be better people if they just had more money. Not true. If you are a jerk (to put it kindly) before you have money, you tend to be a jerk after you get it. Money is an amplifier. It usually amplifies the trait you least like about yourself. The guy who never paid for a date, he spent all his money on cars, houses, and parties. The guy who was rude to the homeless, he ignores his old friends because they can't afford to hang with him.
There are exceptions, there always are. But usually, what you see as exceptions, are just amplifications of the rule. The couple that won the lotto and founded and ran several charities, they were active volunteers in their community before they won. The guy who payed off his debts and the debts of his family, he was struggling to get by and paid his debts before he fed himself. Money amplifies not only our personality, it amplifies our priorities.
In the bible, it says, "the love of money is the root of all evil." This has been perverted to "money is the root of evil." While to a degree this is true, I think it is more accurate to say, "money amplifies evil." The more money you have, the more obvious your priorities. Ask yourself what you would do with the money if you won the lottery. Would you invest it to make more? Maybe you would pay off all your debt first. Maybe you would give a bit to charity. Or would you just spend it on a bunch of toys? Where you put that money tells a lot about where your priorities are. What you find important is where you will put your time and energy as well as your money. By asking yourself these questions and being honest with the answers, you will find what you deem worthy of your time.
Now for the clincher. Where is your family on the list? Is it first? If not, what are you giving up your family for? Now is the time to adjust your priorities, not when you win the lottery. If your priorities are right now, they will be right later.
In closing, I just want to say that, by investing in things that are worthwhile (I can't think of anything more worthwhile than my God and Family), you can't help but be content. I am not saying you will be monetarily rich or that it will be easy. I am saying that even when things are tough, you will be able to find a way to smile. That investment will give you the strength you need to get through those tough times. Take a second and discover your priorities. Better to adjust them now and find contentment, then be miserable when you find your priorities left you alone.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Happy Hump Day: The Joys of Parenthood?
Let me begin by letting everyone know that I passed the PFA. If you want more details, you have to comment. Now on to the meat of today's post.
Happy Hump Day! Today we are talking about the joys of parenthood. OK, who am I kidding. No matter how much we love our kids, or enjoy raising them, there is no such thing as "the joys of parenthood." Think about it. Make a list of all the activities you loved to do before you had kids. Now, start crossing off any items that you can't afford to do because of kids. Your list should be cut in half at this point. If it isn't, then either you were a really lame couple, or you were a really cheap date. Now cross off anything that you can't do with your kids either because it's illegal for them to do, or you would be a bad parent if you let them (skydiving comes to mind, but that probably went away in the first round). You should now be down to just a few activities. Now, scratch off anything that takes more than 2 hours. This is about the time you end up with after you figure out how long it will take you to get to your date location and back to the baby sitters so you don't go over that 3 hour time limit. If you are taking the kids on this event you are also limited to two hours because anything over that and you are no longer at the event, you are the event as you chase your kid in what ever direction(s) (s)he decides to go.
OK, so what you did as singles, is no longer possible with kids. That doesn't mean there is no joy, does it? I mean, you just change what activities you do. You go to age appropriate things now. All this means is that where ever you go, you end up watching the kids have fun in a sterile environment, talking to other adults without looking at them (this is mainly because you are all trying to pick out your child from the crowd to make sure they don't kill another kid), while being bored out of your mind. Oh, and the conversations all go something like the following:
"So, yeah, we found that...Bobby, you put that down!...anyway, we found that things are a bit cheaper at Walmart, but....No Bobby, you leave her alone....we prefer Target."
"I so understand....Suzy, you let go of her hair! I don't care who had it first.."
"Bobby, stop that, get over here and sit down. Go on, you were saying,"
"Yes, I really don't like Walmart either."
Not really what I would call quality conversation. It doesn't matter what you start talking about, you always end up discussing where things are cheaper, what place gives better deals, or which museum is more kid appropriate. When you do manage to have an adult discussion, you inevitably get the kid pulling on your leg and repeating, "daddy," in an ever louder voice until you scream, "WHAT?" at the poor kid. To which the inevitable reply is a "can I have, (you fill in the item)." And by the way, when you scream that at your poor kid, (s)he inevitably cries and that single lady that is "cares so much" for kids and has never had any starts giving you the look that says you are a bad parent.
The only "joy of parenthood" that I can see is when the rug rats are sleeping. Yeah, they're cute when they do that. Or, when they discover a new ability, like walking, I suppose that is pretty neat. Or how about, when they discover they can't do something by trying, like blowing on their own belly. I guess that's pretty funny. Or maybe when they snuggle up to you and tell you they love you. I suppose I might call that a joy.
Maybe it is a bit of a trade off. Sure, I can't go out with my friends every weekend. Maybe the wife and I don't get to go on long dates to fun and interesting new places. We just appreciate the quiet times together all the more. Maybe we don't go to the science museum and get to read all the exhibits and spend hours watching educational films, but watching the kids eyes light up when they get to figure out how a windmill works by blowing on it, is maybe just a little bit better. Yes, you have to find new ways to stretch the dollar, but now that every dollar counts, you find that you have a bit more to spend on what matters. Maybe you don't eat out every night, but you learned how to make awesome homemade mac & cheese.
Yup, parenting changes things. From the non-parent's point of view, it is a bad deal. From a parent's point of view, let's just say, I feel for those who don't ever want to have kids. They are a powerful influence. They are also a lot of fun to play with. If a single guy goes into a toy store and buys Nerf guns, he's a little weird. If a Dad does the same thing, he's fun. Yup, I love being a dad. I stand corrected, there are joys of parenthood, they are just different from (and I think better than) the joys of not having kids.
Hope you enjoyed today's post. Stay tuned next week for a new one. Have a great day.
Happy Hump Day! Today we are talking about the joys of parenthood. OK, who am I kidding. No matter how much we love our kids, or enjoy raising them, there is no such thing as "the joys of parenthood." Think about it. Make a list of all the activities you loved to do before you had kids. Now, start crossing off any items that you can't afford to do because of kids. Your list should be cut in half at this point. If it isn't, then either you were a really lame couple, or you were a really cheap date. Now cross off anything that you can't do with your kids either because it's illegal for them to do, or you would be a bad parent if you let them (skydiving comes to mind, but that probably went away in the first round). You should now be down to just a few activities. Now, scratch off anything that takes more than 2 hours. This is about the time you end up with after you figure out how long it will take you to get to your date location and back to the baby sitters so you don't go over that 3 hour time limit. If you are taking the kids on this event you are also limited to two hours because anything over that and you are no longer at the event, you are the event as you chase your kid in what ever direction(s) (s)he decides to go.
OK, so what you did as singles, is no longer possible with kids. That doesn't mean there is no joy, does it? I mean, you just change what activities you do. You go to age appropriate things now. All this means is that where ever you go, you end up watching the kids have fun in a sterile environment, talking to other adults without looking at them (this is mainly because you are all trying to pick out your child from the crowd to make sure they don't kill another kid), while being bored out of your mind. Oh, and the conversations all go something like the following:
"So, yeah, we found that...Bobby, you put that down!...anyway, we found that things are a bit cheaper at Walmart, but....No Bobby, you leave her alone....we prefer Target."
"I so understand....Suzy, you let go of her hair! I don't care who had it first.."
"Bobby, stop that, get over here and sit down. Go on, you were saying,"
"Yes, I really don't like Walmart either."
Not really what I would call quality conversation. It doesn't matter what you start talking about, you always end up discussing where things are cheaper, what place gives better deals, or which museum is more kid appropriate. When you do manage to have an adult discussion, you inevitably get the kid pulling on your leg and repeating, "daddy," in an ever louder voice until you scream, "WHAT?" at the poor kid. To which the inevitable reply is a "can I have, (you fill in the item)." And by the way, when you scream that at your poor kid, (s)he inevitably cries and that single lady that is "cares so much" for kids and has never had any starts giving you the look that says you are a bad parent.
The only "joy of parenthood" that I can see is when the rug rats are sleeping. Yeah, they're cute when they do that. Or, when they discover a new ability, like walking, I suppose that is pretty neat. Or how about, when they discover they can't do something by trying, like blowing on their own belly. I guess that's pretty funny. Or maybe when they snuggle up to you and tell you they love you. I suppose I might call that a joy.
Maybe it is a bit of a trade off. Sure, I can't go out with my friends every weekend. Maybe the wife and I don't get to go on long dates to fun and interesting new places. We just appreciate the quiet times together all the more. Maybe we don't go to the science museum and get to read all the exhibits and spend hours watching educational films, but watching the kids eyes light up when they get to figure out how a windmill works by blowing on it, is maybe just a little bit better. Yes, you have to find new ways to stretch the dollar, but now that every dollar counts, you find that you have a bit more to spend on what matters. Maybe you don't eat out every night, but you learned how to make awesome homemade mac & cheese.
Yup, parenting changes things. From the non-parent's point of view, it is a bad deal. From a parent's point of view, let's just say, I feel for those who don't ever want to have kids. They are a powerful influence. They are also a lot of fun to play with. If a single guy goes into a toy store and buys Nerf guns, he's a little weird. If a Dad does the same thing, he's fun. Yup, I love being a dad. I stand corrected, there are joys of parenthood, they are just different from (and I think better than) the joys of not having kids.
Hope you enjoyed today's post. Stay tuned next week for a new one. Have a great day.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Diet Done
Today is a good day. I made height/weight standards and can now eat what I want for a few months anyway. In other words, my diet is over. I now just have to do the actual physical side of the PFA. Minimums of 27 push ups, 37 Curl ups, and 100 Calories on the bike. I should be able to pull an easy 150 calories, it's the push ups and curl ups that scare me. Right now, my back is aching and my shoulder has been acting up again. You know, the shoulder the Navy doc's looked at and couldn't find anything wrong so they said there was nothing wrong with it. Oh well, guess I get to live with it.
At least I get to actually enjoy my meals for a few months. Christmas, Thanksgiving, you know the good meals? Not to mention Halloween candy. I told my wife I get to make chocolate chip cookies today. If I get out on time. Maybe I can use that to bribe my boss to let me out early. Yeah, I'll mention it. I don't think he's above accepting bribes. At least I hope not.
This has been an interesting week for the boys. Yesterday, my 2 youngest were down with some kind of minor illness. Mathew was hit the hardest. He napped off and on all day. Daniel was down for about half the day, but was feeling a lot better by the time his brothers got home from school. I may be coming down with it but I hope not. I hope the worn out and achy feeling I have is due to my diet for the past couple of days. We'll see.
Not much else worth mentioning. I have a few things I need to do, so I will call it a post. I look forward to tomorrow's Happy Hump day post. See you then.
At least I get to actually enjoy my meals for a few months. Christmas, Thanksgiving, you know the good meals? Not to mention Halloween candy. I told my wife I get to make chocolate chip cookies today. If I get out on time. Maybe I can use that to bribe my boss to let me out early. Yeah, I'll mention it. I don't think he's above accepting bribes. At least I hope not.
This has been an interesting week for the boys. Yesterday, my 2 youngest were down with some kind of minor illness. Mathew was hit the hardest. He napped off and on all day. Daniel was down for about half the day, but was feeling a lot better by the time his brothers got home from school. I may be coming down with it but I hope not. I hope the worn out and achy feeling I have is due to my diet for the past couple of days. We'll see.
Not much else worth mentioning. I have a few things I need to do, so I will call it a post. I look forward to tomorrow's Happy Hump day post. See you then.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Manic Monday: Cut the budget somewhere else.
It is Manic Monday. Today's subject, the national budget. Recently a friend pointed out that the first thing the government seeks to cut is the defense budget. I wonder why. The fact is that the defense budget is less than a quarter of the entire national budget. This means that three quarters of the budget is considered secondary when it comes to cuts. The pentagon was instructed to cut 600 billion from its budget. If all of the rest of government were to cut the same amount, it would amount to 2.4 trillion dollars in savings. Yet, it is only the defense budget that is facing these type of cuts. Now, add in the fact that, of all the programs on the budget, only Defense is named specifically in the constitution. I know that some of the other expenditures are implied, but only defense is actually named.
So, why is defense always targeted? Because for years it was viewed as a black hole for our money. We would drop in millions and what did we get out? Some new weapons, maybe a new building. Then there were the rumors of thousand dollar hammers and million dollar toilet seats. While these may be exaggerations, there is some truth to the premise. The military does end up paying more for what they buy, than the average Joe would for the same items. Why? Because of the acquisition rules set for us by congress. Because every congressman wants the big government contract for his constituents. The fact is that we are overcharged because the businesses can. Let's take a look at a simple valve. That part may cost $20 at Lowe's. But the government will end up paying $30 for the valve and here is why. That mom and pop business competing with Lowe's begins with an advantage. They get to deduct 10% from what they charge because they are a small business. Next, they get to deduct another 10% because they are woman owned. Then another 10% because that woman is a veteran. Then another 10% because she is a minority. After all of these deductions, the small business can charge $30 and their bid shows up as $19.70, which is obviously less than $20 and thus wins the contract. This is a small example. There are hundreds more like it and it adds up. As I said, these rules were set by congress and are known throughout the contracting world. Thus, if a company wants to win a government contract, they split off a division that makes a specific item the government wants and ensures that it is small enough to be classified as a small business. They list a minority, veteran, woman with a disability as the owner and now she charges 1.5 times what her competitors charge and wins the contract. This drives up what we have to pay for defense.
That being said. I wouldn't have a problem cutting the defense budget if we also got rid of these rules so that we didn't have to pay twice as much for items as they would cost a guy in the street. The problem is, because of these rules, we have to pay the extra to just maintain our military. This means, the cuts we are now looking to make must come from the personnel budget. That's right, we are looking at ways to take away what those of us who have served our country have earned. They are going to start charging us more for the health care we were promised would be free if we served for 20 years. We are being told that the next generation will no longer receive a retirement they earned for 20 years of service. Instead they will be given half of what is now considered small and they have to wait until they are 67 to get it. How is this right? We have a welfare system that is broke. A government that is dysfunctional at best. Yet, our military, which is considered the finest in the world (and by the way is one of the very few all volunteer force), is the first to get the axe. Apparently, what works must be destroyed so that that which doesn't appears better.
Am I a bit disappointed? Yes. Am I bit angered? Who wouldn't be? The reality is that those who don't serve or have never served, look at the military as a huge drain. They don't see the need for it. there is a need. The role of our military is to protect our nation and its interests. We do this by providing a military force within our boundaries. We do this by taking the fight to those who would bring it to us. We do this by protecting those who would be our allies. We do this by ensuring we leave a place better than when we got there. Some say the military is not protecting our interests in Iraq and Afghanistan. I beg to differ. Afghanistan was a direct result of 9/11. Deny it all you want, but we went in with almost 100% support. Iraq, although not as obvious, was a threat to us and the region. Saddam Hussein continually threatened those around him and pushed us. For 8 years under Clinton, he would regularly flaunt our indecision by first denying access for inspectors then allowing them just as we were about to take action. Did we use a bad excuse? Maybe. We don't have the briefing papers the president had when he authorized it. It doesn't watter now though. Remember that last thing I said we did? The one about leaving a place better than we found it. This means we are responsible to help establish a government that can function and give its people the freedoms that we enjoy. This means we can't just leave a defeated nation to fend for itself. Especially a nation that was a breeding ground for terrorists. If we had just left them, the Afghan and Iraqi people would have been saddled with a country with no government, no infrastructure, and no help to rebuild. By staying and helping them set this up, we are helping to maintain and build stability in an unstable region. This is what we do. To do any less would be un-American.
Now that I have ranted and raved about what I believe on this. It is your turn. Tell me where I am wrong. Let me know what I have said that has upset you. I look forward to any discussion on this topic you wish to have. I think its time we look at the other three fourths of the national budget for our savings. But maybe I am mistaken.
Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful day.
So, why is defense always targeted? Because for years it was viewed as a black hole for our money. We would drop in millions and what did we get out? Some new weapons, maybe a new building. Then there were the rumors of thousand dollar hammers and million dollar toilet seats. While these may be exaggerations, there is some truth to the premise. The military does end up paying more for what they buy, than the average Joe would for the same items. Why? Because of the acquisition rules set for us by congress. Because every congressman wants the big government contract for his constituents. The fact is that we are overcharged because the businesses can. Let's take a look at a simple valve. That part may cost $20 at Lowe's. But the government will end up paying $30 for the valve and here is why. That mom and pop business competing with Lowe's begins with an advantage. They get to deduct 10% from what they charge because they are a small business. Next, they get to deduct another 10% because they are woman owned. Then another 10% because that woman is a veteran. Then another 10% because she is a minority. After all of these deductions, the small business can charge $30 and their bid shows up as $19.70, which is obviously less than $20 and thus wins the contract. This is a small example. There are hundreds more like it and it adds up. As I said, these rules were set by congress and are known throughout the contracting world. Thus, if a company wants to win a government contract, they split off a division that makes a specific item the government wants and ensures that it is small enough to be classified as a small business. They list a minority, veteran, woman with a disability as the owner and now she charges 1.5 times what her competitors charge and wins the contract. This drives up what we have to pay for defense.
That being said. I wouldn't have a problem cutting the defense budget if we also got rid of these rules so that we didn't have to pay twice as much for items as they would cost a guy in the street. The problem is, because of these rules, we have to pay the extra to just maintain our military. This means, the cuts we are now looking to make must come from the personnel budget. That's right, we are looking at ways to take away what those of us who have served our country have earned. They are going to start charging us more for the health care we were promised would be free if we served for 20 years. We are being told that the next generation will no longer receive a retirement they earned for 20 years of service. Instead they will be given half of what is now considered small and they have to wait until they are 67 to get it. How is this right? We have a welfare system that is broke. A government that is dysfunctional at best. Yet, our military, which is considered the finest in the world (and by the way is one of the very few all volunteer force), is the first to get the axe. Apparently, what works must be destroyed so that that which doesn't appears better.
Am I a bit disappointed? Yes. Am I bit angered? Who wouldn't be? The reality is that those who don't serve or have never served, look at the military as a huge drain. They don't see the need for it. there is a need. The role of our military is to protect our nation and its interests. We do this by providing a military force within our boundaries. We do this by taking the fight to those who would bring it to us. We do this by protecting those who would be our allies. We do this by ensuring we leave a place better than when we got there. Some say the military is not protecting our interests in Iraq and Afghanistan. I beg to differ. Afghanistan was a direct result of 9/11. Deny it all you want, but we went in with almost 100% support. Iraq, although not as obvious, was a threat to us and the region. Saddam Hussein continually threatened those around him and pushed us. For 8 years under Clinton, he would regularly flaunt our indecision by first denying access for inspectors then allowing them just as we were about to take action. Did we use a bad excuse? Maybe. We don't have the briefing papers the president had when he authorized it. It doesn't watter now though. Remember that last thing I said we did? The one about leaving a place better than we found it. This means we are responsible to help establish a government that can function and give its people the freedoms that we enjoy. This means we can't just leave a defeated nation to fend for itself. Especially a nation that was a breeding ground for terrorists. If we had just left them, the Afghan and Iraqi people would have been saddled with a country with no government, no infrastructure, and no help to rebuild. By staying and helping them set this up, we are helping to maintain and build stability in an unstable region. This is what we do. To do any less would be un-American.
Now that I have ranted and raved about what I believe on this. It is your turn. Tell me where I am wrong. Let me know what I have said that has upset you. I look forward to any discussion on this topic you wish to have. I think its time we look at the other three fourths of the national budget for our savings. But maybe I am mistaken.
Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful day.
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