...yawn....
It's no mystery to anybody with ties to the intel community what's going on. While the DNC may be upset at Russia for hacking and crying foul play with election results, please PLEASE point out to me:
1. How did Russians actually cast their election day ballots? In what tangible, ACCOUNTABLE way were the elections swayed? How were the Russians allowed to actually VOTE? Ooops I guess they actually didn't vote at all. Unless Russians by the millions were actually sneaking into voting booths, I have no idea how they "swayed" the elections. They only exposed the DNC for the lying hypocrites they actually are and we acted on it. The truth was revealed. Sorry about the timing.
2. Whatever you write, type, email, text, Facebook, Instagram, whatever lives PERMANENTLY in cyberworld. I don't care if you got a new phone or new computer or new email address. Everything leaves a digital trail. Forever. Everything is hackable. If the DNC is too stupid to know that they are not fit to rule.
3. Please don't take this as an agreeing nod to he-who-shall-not-be-named. He is a complete narcissistic sack of $&;@*# who is all fluff and no substance. He surrounds himself with women less than half his age because he can't get it up anymore and needs his pathetic ego stroked. He has an empty soul and no sincerity. I'm just sorry it took somebody like him to capture the collective force and energy of the American population to fuel change -- even if the change is going to do us more harm than good.
4. I told you that Washington DC is running scared. We all should be. I also told you that our real work would come AFTER the elections. I have not wavered on that. Do not sit around and think that your vote does not matter. It does.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Child Porn and Exploitation?????
OK... here's your brain twister for the day. At what point (no pun intended) do we draw the line for child porn and exploitation? Think about it. This child is having his genitals photographed without his knowledge or consent for the sole gratification of adults. Grandma-to-be is squealing in ecstasy. What is the definition of child pornography? Here ya go... taken verbatim off the Department of Justice website:
"Images of child pornography are not protected under First Amendment rights, and are illegal contraband under federal law. Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age). Visual depictions include photographs, videos, digital or computer generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor, and images created, adapted, or modified, but appear to depict an identifiable, actual minor. Undeveloped film, undeveloped videotape, and electronically stored data that can be converted into a visual image of child pornography are also deemed illegal visual depictions under federal law. Notably, the legal definition of sexually explicit conduct does not require that an image depict a child engaging in sexual activity."
I know I'm being cheeky with this scenario, but the point is that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much oversharing on social media. Somebody else might take the child porn/exploitation in this instance and run with it. I never put anything past attorneys who do nothing but look for opportunities like this. We've had settlements over hot coffee at McDonald's for goodness sake. My point is that people have litigated over much trivial, frivolous matters....and won.
"Images of child pornography are not protected under First Amendment rights, and are illegal contraband under federal law. Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age). Visual depictions include photographs, videos, digital or computer generated images indistinguishable from an actual minor, and images created, adapted, or modified, but appear to depict an identifiable, actual minor. Undeveloped film, undeveloped videotape, and electronically stored data that can be converted into a visual image of child pornography are also deemed illegal visual depictions under federal law. Notably, the legal definition of sexually explicit conduct does not require that an image depict a child engaging in sexual activity."
I know I'm being cheeky with this scenario, but the point is that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much oversharing on social media. Somebody else might take the child porn/exploitation in this instance and run with it. I never put anything past attorneys who do nothing but look for opportunities like this. We've had settlements over hot coffee at McDonald's for goodness sake. My point is that people have litigated over much trivial, frivolous matters....and won.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Year End
I was supposed to have this week off. I kind of do. I have the type of job that there really is no such thing as vacation. It's just postponement. Actually, I'm PUNISHED if I take time away from the office as the work load piles up and there isn't anybody who actually cares enough to deal with insurance, taxes, and month-end financial cut-offs in addition to year-end cutoffs updating and reconciling all the tax withholding accounts and the new minimum/maximum withholding amounts for the never-ending taxes and regulations Washington DC and Sacramento think we need. Plus, we need to issue W2's and 1099's by January 31st.
Attention Washington DC and Sacramento: We don't need anything else to TRACK or DO!!!!! We've reached chaotic gridlock on everything because everything depends on something else that the lower tiers have either screwed up or haven't done at all. Don't get upset with me because it's taking me so long to get you your numbers. I have to make rhyme and reason of the piles of incorrect, sloppy, and incomplete information I'm handed. The lack of detail I see from banks, title companies, insurance companies, and even the county recorder is utterly appalling.
There has yet to be a computer program that can deal with the intricacies and details/plan rules I administer. Much of it has to be done by hand because, like I said, each pile of money has different reporting requirements, deadlines, and rules that are bound to it. When it all comes to one source it needs to be sorted, sifted, transferred, and applied to specific people who may or may not be eligible. It's one thing for politicians to open up their mouths and put "laws" into place. It's another thing to deal with it. Most of the time the politicians give me a blank stare when they themselves have put in place conflicting rules of money and I ask how they want me to handle it. I've learned LONG ago not to go by anything verbal. Eventually, a political rival with question what was done and the politician who treated you like a trusted advisor will suddenly get amnesia. Everything needs to be not only in writing, but signed by the appropriate people. Copies are not acceptable. This can take months, my friends. Bottom line: Politicians have NO clue what goes on to make this machine run. Most of the time they can't get out of their own way and we are all held hostage in the process.
Attention Washington DC and Sacramento: We don't need anything else to TRACK or DO!!!!! We've reached chaotic gridlock on everything because everything depends on something else that the lower tiers have either screwed up or haven't done at all. Don't get upset with me because it's taking me so long to get you your numbers. I have to make rhyme and reason of the piles of incorrect, sloppy, and incomplete information I'm handed. The lack of detail I see from banks, title companies, insurance companies, and even the county recorder is utterly appalling.
There has yet to be a computer program that can deal with the intricacies and details/plan rules I administer. Much of it has to be done by hand because, like I said, each pile of money has different reporting requirements, deadlines, and rules that are bound to it. When it all comes to one source it needs to be sorted, sifted, transferred, and applied to specific people who may or may not be eligible. It's one thing for politicians to open up their mouths and put "laws" into place. It's another thing to deal with it. Most of the time the politicians give me a blank stare when they themselves have put in place conflicting rules of money and I ask how they want me to handle it. I've learned LONG ago not to go by anything verbal. Eventually, a political rival with question what was done and the politician who treated you like a trusted advisor will suddenly get amnesia. Everything needs to be not only in writing, but signed by the appropriate people. Copies are not acceptable. This can take months, my friends. Bottom line: Politicians have NO clue what goes on to make this machine run. Most of the time they can't get out of their own way and we are all held hostage in the process.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Popping the Zit
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! I LOVE the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Why? Because the pre Christmas hype and pressure builds like a huge, infectious zit beginning the day after Thanksgiving that pops on Christmas Day. After the zit pops on Christmas Day oozing disgusting puss (relatives and inlaws) the healing process begins after it has had a chance to come to the surface and make a mess.
Now the world calms itself down and we can actually take a moment to BREATHE. What ever it was that did not get done on your to-do list will wait until next year. I bet nobody even noticed that not all items on your list were checked off. Miraculously, everybody survived unscathed and the world did not stop spinning on its axis.
Many businesses are closed this week as it should be. It's nice that the business world takes an unofficial, coordinated week off where it's expected that emails go unanswered and phone calls not returned. No other week of the year gives us that.
Now the world calms itself down and we can actually take a moment to BREATHE. What ever it was that did not get done on your to-do list will wait until next year. I bet nobody even noticed that not all items on your list were checked off. Miraculously, everybody survived unscathed and the world did not stop spinning on its axis.
Many businesses are closed this week as it should be. It's nice that the business world takes an unofficial, coordinated week off where it's expected that emails go unanswered and phone calls not returned. No other week of the year gives us that.
Underfunded Pensions
Underfunded pensions. Underfunded social security (yawn). How did we get to this mess? Because this is the biggest ponzi scheme ever, that's why. Sure. There was the harsh reality of the 1930's that brought forth social security and the establishment of Taft-Hartley funds that were supposed to protect us plebeians from poverty in old age after we have slaved away for 'the company' all of our lives.
Just as everything else, the programs put in place to help us eventually screw us. Why? Those managing large pools of money can't help but give the decision makers of such policies only the facts and investment options that in reality just line their own pockets. Politicians tell the people what they want to hear. Money managers of public funds are only too happy to oblige the politicians on the scam. Both politicians and money managers bail when their term is up and have no skin in the game after they leave their post. There's no long-term accountability. It's the old cut and run. What do they care now that they have served a term or two in public office and now secured a government pension for themselves and need to keep the scam going for another generation.
Sure. We had the ERISA act of 1974 that was supposed to protect pensions and what not. Again, it's just a bunch of toothless jargon written by some lawyers who also helped themselves to the money trough at taxpayer expense.
Does anybody see a pattern? Greed, exploitation, actions trying to correct greed and exploitation that only end up with repackaged greed and exploitation....all the while people in suits and ties telling us that they are the esteemed "experts" in their field and will steer us all out of this mess and collecting wads of money along the way essentially doing nothing except rearranging the deck chairs on the sinking Titanic wanting us to believe that they are saving us.
It's time we hold the politicians' feet to the fire along with the financial advisors and institutions who fueled this mess....and continue to fuel this mess... Here's what we can do on our part. Don't believe that politicians and the government is there to 'take care of you.' They are not and they won't.
Just as everything else, the programs put in place to help us eventually screw us. Why? Those managing large pools of money can't help but give the decision makers of such policies only the facts and investment options that in reality just line their own pockets. Politicians tell the people what they want to hear. Money managers of public funds are only too happy to oblige the politicians on the scam. Both politicians and money managers bail when their term is up and have no skin in the game after they leave their post. There's no long-term accountability. It's the old cut and run. What do they care now that they have served a term or two in public office and now secured a government pension for themselves and need to keep the scam going for another generation.
Sure. We had the ERISA act of 1974 that was supposed to protect pensions and what not. Again, it's just a bunch of toothless jargon written by some lawyers who also helped themselves to the money trough at taxpayer expense.
Does anybody see a pattern? Greed, exploitation, actions trying to correct greed and exploitation that only end up with repackaged greed and exploitation....all the while people in suits and ties telling us that they are the esteemed "experts" in their field and will steer us all out of this mess and collecting wads of money along the way essentially doing nothing except rearranging the deck chairs on the sinking Titanic wanting us to believe that they are saving us.
It's time we hold the politicians' feet to the fire along with the financial advisors and institutions who fueled this mess....and continue to fuel this mess... Here's what we can do on our part. Don't believe that politicians and the government is there to 'take care of you.' They are not and they won't.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Bacon Grease and Jesus Christ
Yup. It's been busy at Casa de Quiet Rage. I'va had a houseful. My sister is here visiting from Minnesota along with one of her daughters. It was nice to have her here for Christmas. She's been through her own hell of losing her husband in a car accident and piecing her life back together.
With that being said, I was anticipating the usual wave of people and a nut house of activity for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't know WHAT it is about this house, but everybody likes being here. In preparation for that, I decided to prep my 15 pounds of Sonoma County ham, bacon, and sausage for the company I was expecting. That's when it happened.
I decided, against my better judgement, to cook my bacon and sausage on a new cast iron griddle that was LARGE. I was being lazy and wanted to cook a lot at once. We all know the rules with cast iron. Season it before you cook with it even if it says it's pre-seasoned. Manufacturers lie. Whatever. I like to think I'm a veteran at this stuff. I begin the process of frying up half a hog.
About half way through the frying process I needed to dump the grease that has accumulated. I get the 'fat can' ready and strategically place it in the sink. I've done this a thousand times. I take the hot cast iron griddle off the stove and bring it over to the sink to dump the hot bacon grease into the fat can. I tilt the griddle. The hot grease jumps over the sides of the griddle pours over my bare left hand. I dropped the griddle with a loud THUD and cried in pain. I ran cold water over it trying to ease the pain. No matter. My hand was red, hot, throbbing, and I was in misery. My sister was in the shower and had no idea was was going on in the kitchen. When she emerged she came to the kitchen to find me crying in pain and shaking. We got it wrapped up and contemplated on going to the hospital as infections from burns are usually worse than the burns themselves.
Fast forward a few hours. A friend of mine just recovered from breast cancer. She knew my sister was going to be here and all she wanted was for all of us to be together at the Christmas Eve church service to celebrate just being alive. Great. My hand is throbbing and I'm in misery. I've got a house full of people coming for both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I decided that I'm going to wrap up my hand in a cool freezer pack and head off to the church service. I figured that the least I could do was to respect my friend's wishes by being there as she was just happy to be alive this Christmas Eve after what's she's been through. Fair enough.
We head to the church. We get settled. My hand starts to throb. I'm in pain. I think to myself, "Jesus Christ was beat to shit, tortured, and nailed to the cross to die...just for losers like me. In comparison all I have to do is sit here for an hour even though I'm in a lot of pain, I'm not going to die. I can do this."
About half way through the service my hand stopped throbbing. When I got home I removed the bandage from my hand and there was no redness, blisters, or anything. I did not hurt any longer as it was healed. I showed my sister and family and they were perplexed as well as just a few hours earlier they were ready to take me to the emergency room. Weird.
Take from it what you will, but that's my own little Christmas miracle story. It won't make headlines or be the plot of a movie. All I know is that I was certainly happy to not have my hand a throbbing, blistered mess.
With that being said, I was anticipating the usual wave of people and a nut house of activity for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't know WHAT it is about this house, but everybody likes being here. In preparation for that, I decided to prep my 15 pounds of Sonoma County ham, bacon, and sausage for the company I was expecting. That's when it happened.
I decided, against my better judgement, to cook my bacon and sausage on a new cast iron griddle that was LARGE. I was being lazy and wanted to cook a lot at once. We all know the rules with cast iron. Season it before you cook with it even if it says it's pre-seasoned. Manufacturers lie. Whatever. I like to think I'm a veteran at this stuff. I begin the process of frying up half a hog.
About half way through the frying process I needed to dump the grease that has accumulated. I get the 'fat can' ready and strategically place it in the sink. I've done this a thousand times. I take the hot cast iron griddle off the stove and bring it over to the sink to dump the hot bacon grease into the fat can. I tilt the griddle. The hot grease jumps over the sides of the griddle pours over my bare left hand. I dropped the griddle with a loud THUD and cried in pain. I ran cold water over it trying to ease the pain. No matter. My hand was red, hot, throbbing, and I was in misery. My sister was in the shower and had no idea was was going on in the kitchen. When she emerged she came to the kitchen to find me crying in pain and shaking. We got it wrapped up and contemplated on going to the hospital as infections from burns are usually worse than the burns themselves.
Fast forward a few hours. A friend of mine just recovered from breast cancer. She knew my sister was going to be here and all she wanted was for all of us to be together at the Christmas Eve church service to celebrate just being alive. Great. My hand is throbbing and I'm in misery. I've got a house full of people coming for both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I decided that I'm going to wrap up my hand in a cool freezer pack and head off to the church service. I figured that the least I could do was to respect my friend's wishes by being there as she was just happy to be alive this Christmas Eve after what's she's been through. Fair enough.
We head to the church. We get settled. My hand starts to throb. I'm in pain. I think to myself, "Jesus Christ was beat to shit, tortured, and nailed to the cross to die...just for losers like me. In comparison all I have to do is sit here for an hour even though I'm in a lot of pain, I'm not going to die. I can do this."
About half way through the service my hand stopped throbbing. When I got home I removed the bandage from my hand and there was no redness, blisters, or anything. I did not hurt any longer as it was healed. I showed my sister and family and they were perplexed as well as just a few hours earlier they were ready to take me to the emergency room. Weird.
Take from it what you will, but that's my own little Christmas miracle story. It won't make headlines or be the plot of a movie. All I know is that I was certainly happy to not have my hand a throbbing, blistered mess.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Putin in U.S. Politics
..,I told all you morons about a year ago that Snowden seeking refuge in Russia was no accident. And NOW the press and intel agencies are figuring out that Russia is hacking? DUH!!!! I'm STILL waiting for the press to put that together. Nobody has the guts to publish it.
Jesus Christ. Stupid is as stupid does. told you so.
Let's boil this down. Russia hacked. So what. What did they find? That Clinton and the DNC tried to fuck over Sanders and that the Clinton Foundation was nothing more than a money laundering mill. We all found out the truth. Sorry about the timing.
Foul play? Really? Disclosing the truth should not be timed to an election. Clinton et al fucked themselves.
...and NO... I do not like he-who-shall-not-be-named. He is just a side circus act detracting from what is truly the main act.
Jesus Christ. Stupid is as stupid does. told you so.
Let's boil this down. Russia hacked. So what. What did they find? That Clinton and the DNC tried to fuck over Sanders and that the Clinton Foundation was nothing more than a money laundering mill. We all found out the truth. Sorry about the timing.
Foul play? Really? Disclosing the truth should not be timed to an election. Clinton et al fucked themselves.
...and NO... I do not like he-who-shall-not-be-named. He is just a side circus act detracting from what is truly the main act.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Artists as Slave Labor
Of course I did not coin the term 'starving artist.' I did not coin the term 'real musicians have day jobs' either. Believe it or not, I'm sticking up for musicians and artists because their talents are taken advantage of and exploited. Everybody expects them to work for free. It's ironic that the biggest offenders of the exploitation are usually Tesla driving, tree-hugging, fair trade, hairy armpit, McMansion owning, Bernie Sanders loving fraudulent socialists (cough, cough, people from Marin or....relocated to Marin).
Here's the dialogue.
SCUMMI (Socially Conscious Until My Money Involved): Hey, I started a Save the Whales and Kids non-profit organization (in reality just needed a tax loophole to launder money). We are coordinating our fundraiser. In order to woo donations I'm going to pitch at people I think super rich and important to puff my ego and climb some rungs on the social ladder making it took like I care about the environment and starving tots in Micronesia while I drive my $100,000 automobile and lop off a hillside for my obnoxiously large, grandiose house for my family of 3, I need some REALLY cool artwork done on the brochure and advertising bits. You are a talented artist. Can you help out?
ARTIST: Ummmmm... I dunno. I'm working three jobs to make ends meet while looking for a roommate who is not a complete psycho to share my 400 square foot closet-converted-into-apartment, and my time is kind of limited at the moment.
SCUMMI: Really? This could be awesome for you! Think of the EXPOSURE you will get when Big Shot sees your name on the pieces as the creator. This could be a BIG BREAK for you.
ARTIST: I just don't know if I'd find the resources to do a good job. My art supplies are lacking as I have not had money to replenish them due to car issues. I had to plunk down a wad of money for repairs. Also, my health insurance has doubled this past year. I've had to choose between art and survival.
SCUMMI: Wow. Bummer (looks over shoulder at his shiney $100,000 car parked in front of organic-fair trade coffee house where they are meeting). Tell you what, Artist. I can throw a couple of tickets to the event in for yourself and a friend to attend. Does that sweeten the pot for you?
ARTIST: (thought bubble - why would I want tickets to event where I would have to spend money I don't have to buy clothes just to attend? I'd also have to pay bridge tolls and parking -- assuming my car that is barley clunking along and held together with duct tape can whether the trip. They already want me to do this for free). Yeah, I know getting in front of Big Shot could be an opportunity, but in reality it just doesn't pay the rent and the eviction notice is coming because I'm already behind.
SCUMMI: (of course - does not offer to buy art supplies or chip in a months rent but silently sits and stews that ARTIST could POSSIBLY turn up his nose at what SCUMMI thinks is the opportunity of a lifetime). Well, I was hoping to draw on your talent to make the world a better place -- no pun intended (gets up and gives ARTIST a jolly chuckle with an almost slap on the back. It's foreshadowing to the knife in the back that is sure to come should ARTIST take SCUMMI up on his offer).
ARTIST: (finally has had enough) Listen here, SCUMMI. You would not dream of asking your mechanic to work on your car for free, a painter to paint your house for free, or a neighborhood kid to even mow your lawn for free. Why do you think it's ok to ask ME to work for FREE? Oh, I get it. You're a user!!!!! Go exploit somebody else. Want to make the world a better place? Put YOUR money where your MOUTH is and actually PAY people a dignified fee for the services they provide for you instead of milling it though your bullshit non-profit so YOU can claim a tax deduction because your income already measures on the obnoxious scale.
Here's the dialogue.
SCUMMI (Socially Conscious Until My Money Involved): Hey, I started a Save the Whales and Kids non-profit organization (in reality just needed a tax loophole to launder money). We are coordinating our fundraiser. In order to woo donations I'm going to pitch at people I think super rich and important to puff my ego and climb some rungs on the social ladder making it took like I care about the environment and starving tots in Micronesia while I drive my $100,000 automobile and lop off a hillside for my obnoxiously large, grandiose house for my family of 3, I need some REALLY cool artwork done on the brochure and advertising bits. You are a talented artist. Can you help out?
ARTIST: Ummmmm... I dunno. I'm working three jobs to make ends meet while looking for a roommate who is not a complete psycho to share my 400 square foot closet-converted-into-apartment, and my time is kind of limited at the moment.
SCUMMI: Really? This could be awesome for you! Think of the EXPOSURE you will get when Big Shot sees your name on the pieces as the creator. This could be a BIG BREAK for you.
ARTIST: I just don't know if I'd find the resources to do a good job. My art supplies are lacking as I have not had money to replenish them due to car issues. I had to plunk down a wad of money for repairs. Also, my health insurance has doubled this past year. I've had to choose between art and survival.
SCUMMI: Wow. Bummer (looks over shoulder at his shiney $100,000 car parked in front of organic-fair trade coffee house where they are meeting). Tell you what, Artist. I can throw a couple of tickets to the event in for yourself and a friend to attend. Does that sweeten the pot for you?
ARTIST: (thought bubble - why would I want tickets to event where I would have to spend money I don't have to buy clothes just to attend? I'd also have to pay bridge tolls and parking -- assuming my car that is barley clunking along and held together with duct tape can whether the trip. They already want me to do this for free). Yeah, I know getting in front of Big Shot could be an opportunity, but in reality it just doesn't pay the rent and the eviction notice is coming because I'm already behind.
SCUMMI: (of course - does not offer to buy art supplies or chip in a months rent but silently sits and stews that ARTIST could POSSIBLY turn up his nose at what SCUMMI thinks is the opportunity of a lifetime). Well, I was hoping to draw on your talent to make the world a better place -- no pun intended (gets up and gives ARTIST a jolly chuckle with an almost slap on the back. It's foreshadowing to the knife in the back that is sure to come should ARTIST take SCUMMI up on his offer).
ARTIST: (finally has had enough) Listen here, SCUMMI. You would not dream of asking your mechanic to work on your car for free, a painter to paint your house for free, or a neighborhood kid to even mow your lawn for free. Why do you think it's ok to ask ME to work for FREE? Oh, I get it. You're a user!!!!! Go exploit somebody else. Want to make the world a better place? Put YOUR money where your MOUTH is and actually PAY people a dignified fee for the services they provide for you instead of milling it though your bullshit non-profit so YOU can claim a tax deduction because your income already measures on the obnoxious scale.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Loser Magnet
...no, I don't mean my previous dating days...although there could certainly be a case made for my attracting losers with uncanny ability.
I'm talking about job losers. This week's interviews registered above average on the freak-o-meter scale. Here's my lineup:
Applicant #1: has a felony record for soliciting sex with an underage girl. Great. We will make sure to put this one on a school job. Not. buh-BYE. NEXT!!!!!!
Applicant #2: Ex-criminal justice government employment worker who has a felony on record for child porn. His job was in the services designed to protect kids from sick predators. I suppose bank robbers rob banks because that's where the money is...same applies to child porn protection services. What better source to feed the sickness? Getting fired from a government job is pretty tough. Now he wants to come to US???? See Applicant #1 and what we did with him. NEXT!!!!!
Applicant #3: has a bachelor of arts in English. He has spent most of his adult life building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer work does not pay much nor contribute to the retirement fund and age 40 is creeping up quickly. Let's see how many people he's aided over the years will now come to HIS aid. I'm not holding my breath.
Applicant #4: had a bachelor of science in environmental engineering...and now he's applying for an entry level construction job? This one just did not add up. It's the cart before the horse.
Applicant #5: A woman with a masters in psychology with a career in family services/counseling wants to start over at age 44 with an entry level construction job. Really? She struck me as the type who would want to play female discrimination lawsuit lottery with us (predominately male occupation) to try to fund her retirement account which is wanting.
Applicant #6: Felony record
Applicant #7: Yet another felony record.
Applicant #8: Has a bachelor of science in information technology. He should be able to write his own ticket. Well, just goes to show that you can have a so-called GREAT, education but if you're a creepy weirdo and creep people out......well....good luck to ya.
I've been doing interviews for almost 30 years. I liken doing interviews to a box of chocolates as in you never know what you're gonna get. Many times it's what people DON'T say that determines my scoring of them. I have credibility in that department and my opinion carries weight. Just ask the other people who also do the interviews with me. At one point I interviewed them as well.
I'm talking about job losers. This week's interviews registered above average on the freak-o-meter scale. Here's my lineup:
Applicant #1: has a felony record for soliciting sex with an underage girl. Great. We will make sure to put this one on a school job. Not. buh-BYE. NEXT!!!!!!
Applicant #2: Ex-criminal justice government employment worker who has a felony on record for child porn. His job was in the services designed to protect kids from sick predators. I suppose bank robbers rob banks because that's where the money is...same applies to child porn protection services. What better source to feed the sickness? Getting fired from a government job is pretty tough. Now he wants to come to US???? See Applicant #1 and what we did with him. NEXT!!!!!
Applicant #3: has a bachelor of arts in English. He has spent most of his adult life building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Volunteer work does not pay much nor contribute to the retirement fund and age 40 is creeping up quickly. Let's see how many people he's aided over the years will now come to HIS aid. I'm not holding my breath.
Applicant #4: had a bachelor of science in environmental engineering...and now he's applying for an entry level construction job? This one just did not add up. It's the cart before the horse.
Applicant #5: A woman with a masters in psychology with a career in family services/counseling wants to start over at age 44 with an entry level construction job. Really? She struck me as the type who would want to play female discrimination lawsuit lottery with us (predominately male occupation) to try to fund her retirement account which is wanting.
Applicant #6: Felony record
Applicant #7: Yet another felony record.
Applicant #8: Has a bachelor of science in information technology. He should be able to write his own ticket. Well, just goes to show that you can have a so-called GREAT, education but if you're a creepy weirdo and creep people out......well....good luck to ya.
I've been doing interviews for almost 30 years. I liken doing interviews to a box of chocolates as in you never know what you're gonna get. Many times it's what people DON'T say that determines my scoring of them. I have credibility in that department and my opinion carries weight. Just ask the other people who also do the interviews with me. At one point I interviewed them as well.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Why??
Everybody gets all wadded up about WHAT people believe in (or not believe in). Religious nuts jobs, political fascists, tree huggers, hairy armpits... everybody has an opinion and viewpoint to sell. I can only speak for myself, but I am far more intrigued by WHY people believe as opposed to WHAT they believe.
Two totally different things.
Two totally different things.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Fake News is News
What is with all the uproar about Facebook's fake news? There is concern now that the "facts" are not being reported on certain people, events, and stories and we must CENSOR Facebook. The do-gooders want to force Facebook to vet stories prior to them being published on the social media site. Here's my question. Vetted by whom? Fact checkers? Who is going to fact check the fact checkers? Who is going to appoint them? In the case of a tie, which set of "facts" will win? How will that be decided? There will always be arguments and counter-arguments. They will start with Facebook, then the internet. Pretty soon everything will be monitored and we will have about as much personal freedom as a Chinese or North Korean citizen. Think it can't happen here? Just look at who we elected as president? Or, maybe we really didn't elect him. The fact checkers are still out on that one, too. We will never get a straight answer.
This is all the beginning of fascist censorship, my friends. I have news for you. ALL NEWS IS BIASED and FAKE. Everything you read and view has the author's bias built in whether the author is conscience of it or not. When you boil it all down nobody can prove anything. We can't even prove we are here. Everything is somebody's opinion. Sure, you can puff up the piece citing important sounding words and statistics to appear more credible, but that's just smoke and mirrors. Anybody who took a statistics course knows that there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Everything is slanted to a biased viewpoint. Nothing is truly objective.
If people are so dumb to get what they think is credible news off a social media site, I don't know what to tell you. We have an abundance of ego laden idiots on Facebook and in society in general. However, I don't think censorship it the answer. It's all meant to control us even if they claim the intent is pure. In the meantime I will take stories on Facebook about Brad Pitt moving to my town with a grain of salt, and also cures for cancer deriving from orange peels and coffee grinds, and also stories of Anthony Weiner masturbating on his phone with a 12 year old girl. Only the last one is true LOL.
Here's the truth. We are lied to.
This is all the beginning of fascist censorship, my friends. I have news for you. ALL NEWS IS BIASED and FAKE. Everything you read and view has the author's bias built in whether the author is conscience of it or not. When you boil it all down nobody can prove anything. We can't even prove we are here. Everything is somebody's opinion. Sure, you can puff up the piece citing important sounding words and statistics to appear more credible, but that's just smoke and mirrors. Anybody who took a statistics course knows that there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Everything is slanted to a biased viewpoint. Nothing is truly objective.
If people are so dumb to get what they think is credible news off a social media site, I don't know what to tell you. We have an abundance of ego laden idiots on Facebook and in society in general. However, I don't think censorship it the answer. It's all meant to control us even if they claim the intent is pure. In the meantime I will take stories on Facebook about Brad Pitt moving to my town with a grain of salt, and also cures for cancer deriving from orange peels and coffee grinds, and also stories of Anthony Weiner masturbating on his phone with a 12 year old girl. Only the last one is true LOL.
Here's the truth. We are lied to.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
M's Boyfriend...from Bad to Worse
I'm *REALLY* trying to like M's boyfriend for M's sake. I love my CA BFF. We have been friends for a long, long time. I'm also struggling with my initial dislike of the energy I felt when I met him and his a**h*** personality when he gets to drinking. I keep trying to pick up on something otherwise to prove myself wrong. Still waiting.
Here's the latest.
No wonder M's boyfriend wants to get married to M. He needs her. His credit score is in the toilet. He has not filed taxes in years and the IRS is after him. He can't have a bank account or a credit card because of it. Everything is in cash with him -- including his latest business practices so it can't be traced. He was left a sizable inheritance of which he has completely squandered on the dumbest of dumb things. He does not have health insurance. He does not have auto insurance. He is driving on a suspended license. His favorite pass time is being passed out on somebody's front lawn trying to walk home from his latest drunk fest (which is nightly). He's a complete train wreck.
M finally told me tonight she wants to break up with him.
It takes a LOT for M to come to this. She is such a giving lady and really wants to be in a relationship with a guy. However, this guy she is currently with is downright toxic and she has finally figured it out. I have kept my mouth shut for well over a year as sometimes things just need to play out. If I would have said something I just would have jeopardized our friendship, and I'm not the all-knowing sage. I could have been wrong and I would have felt awful if I opened up my mouth in disagreement of her taste in men.
Which brings me back to the guy M was dating when she met TrainWreck. That guy was stable, consistent, loyal and to this day still loves M. I know. I bump into him from time to time running about my errands and he ALWAYS asks about M with that smile of unconditional caring for a woman who dumped him for a raging alcoholic ladled with anger and financial issues.
Here's the latest.
No wonder M's boyfriend wants to get married to M. He needs her. His credit score is in the toilet. He has not filed taxes in years and the IRS is after him. He can't have a bank account or a credit card because of it. Everything is in cash with him -- including his latest business practices so it can't be traced. He was left a sizable inheritance of which he has completely squandered on the dumbest of dumb things. He does not have health insurance. He does not have auto insurance. He is driving on a suspended license. His favorite pass time is being passed out on somebody's front lawn trying to walk home from his latest drunk fest (which is nightly). He's a complete train wreck.
M finally told me tonight she wants to break up with him.
It takes a LOT for M to come to this. She is such a giving lady and really wants to be in a relationship with a guy. However, this guy she is currently with is downright toxic and she has finally figured it out. I have kept my mouth shut for well over a year as sometimes things just need to play out. If I would have said something I just would have jeopardized our friendship, and I'm not the all-knowing sage. I could have been wrong and I would have felt awful if I opened up my mouth in disagreement of her taste in men.
Which brings me back to the guy M was dating when she met TrainWreck. That guy was stable, consistent, loyal and to this day still loves M. I know. I bump into him from time to time running about my errands and he ALWAYS asks about M with that smile of unconditional caring for a woman who dumped him for a raging alcoholic ladled with anger and financial issues.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Tim Minchin: Storm
Let the clash of viewpoints be brilliantly illustrated by Tim Minchin. Sigh. I deal with this mentality day in and day out. I pray Tim Minchin has that personal 'experience' he can't explain away through known conventional means of measurement and currently available technology. Just wait. Science will catch up. No hard feelings, Tim. Until then.....
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Company "holiday" Parties
We can't call them Christmas parties anymore or the pc do-gooder police will tell you that we must embrace all traditions and religions - as long as THEY approve of them. The irony is not lost on me. Whatever. Ho Ho HO!!
There is a tradition lingering from the 50's that needs to be abolished immediately, and that is the company Christmas (ooops holiday) party - during nights and weekends, no doubt. I never understood why management would sponsor such a torturous event. Even the lure of a raffle giving away electronic gadgets isn't enough to endure your annoying co-workers on what is supposed to be your time away from the morons.
Ahhhhhhhh... compulsory parties, coupled with unpaid overtime. The joy. We are expected to give up a Saturday night during the busiest, most stressful time of the year to endure the company of people we loathe and act like we are having a good time. We are expected to pay for a sitter from our already paltry salaries and to pay for a hotel room to 'sleep off' anything we may have over imbibed on. Sorry, but the company group rate for the hotel room is still not a steep enough discount to lure us to stay longer than necessary. However, the over imbibing is necessary to keep us all from wanting to kill our coworkers we already spend too much time with. The irony is that The Company thinks they are doing us this huge favor by sponsoring all of this.
It's a human resource manager's worst nightmare. Come Monday morning we will hear about how John approached Jane on the dance floor after a few too many and whispered, "There is always something I wanted to tell you........"
After 30 years experience, I can attest that nothing good ever comes from a dialogue that begins with those words. Now we are on damage control. He said, she said.
I've said it once and I'll say it again.....the BEST morale booster on the planet for your employees is unexpected *PAID* time off away from work people and duties. In the long run it's more cost effective and does not spawn lawsuits.
There is a tradition lingering from the 50's that needs to be abolished immediately, and that is the company Christmas (ooops holiday) party - during nights and weekends, no doubt. I never understood why management would sponsor such a torturous event. Even the lure of a raffle giving away electronic gadgets isn't enough to endure your annoying co-workers on what is supposed to be your time away from the morons.
Ahhhhhhhh... compulsory parties, coupled with unpaid overtime. The joy. We are expected to give up a Saturday night during the busiest, most stressful time of the year to endure the company of people we loathe and act like we are having a good time. We are expected to pay for a sitter from our already paltry salaries and to pay for a hotel room to 'sleep off' anything we may have over imbibed on. Sorry, but the company group rate for the hotel room is still not a steep enough discount to lure us to stay longer than necessary. However, the over imbibing is necessary to keep us all from wanting to kill our coworkers we already spend too much time with. The irony is that The Company thinks they are doing us this huge favor by sponsoring all of this.
It's a human resource manager's worst nightmare. Come Monday morning we will hear about how John approached Jane on the dance floor after a few too many and whispered, "There is always something I wanted to tell you........"
After 30 years experience, I can attest that nothing good ever comes from a dialogue that begins with those words. Now we are on damage control. He said, she said.
I've said it once and I'll say it again.....the BEST morale booster on the planet for your employees is unexpected *PAID* time off away from work people and duties. In the long run it's more cost effective and does not spawn lawsuits.
The Strung Out Phamacist
I know I'm getting older and that AARP membership along with the senior discount is just around the corner. Everybody looks like a kid to me now. Policemen, firemen, doctors, financial planners, all look like they just graduated from high school.
Not too long ago I had to take my young adult daughter to the pharmacy. We approach the counter. The pharmacist was immediately smitten with my daughter and he looked to be a young whipper snapper. However, as he fumbled around looking for a form I could not help but notice he had that "loook" of somebody who was high on something.
We waited. He looked around for a form. We waited some more. He fumbled around some more. Finally, my daughter pointed to a pad of forms about a foot away from the customer window. Basically, they were right in front of him the entire time. He hands us the form to complete.
After we completed the form we waited longer so he could find the medication needed and process it. This seemed to take an eternity. The young pharmacist kept looking at my daughter.
My daughter leaned over to me and said, "Check out the pharmacist, mom. He's strung out and high on something and he wants to ask me out. I can tell."
No kidding.
We finally completed the transaction and as we were leaving my daughter said, "What kind of a pharmacist is stoned on the job? He looked like he just smoked a big, fat one coming from the skate park to report to work."
Yup. This is our new workforce. We are drug testing the wrong work pool.
Not too long ago I had to take my young adult daughter to the pharmacy. We approach the counter. The pharmacist was immediately smitten with my daughter and he looked to be a young whipper snapper. However, as he fumbled around looking for a form I could not help but notice he had that "loook" of somebody who was high on something.
We waited. He looked around for a form. We waited some more. He fumbled around some more. Finally, my daughter pointed to a pad of forms about a foot away from the customer window. Basically, they were right in front of him the entire time. He hands us the form to complete.
After we completed the form we waited longer so he could find the medication needed and process it. This seemed to take an eternity. The young pharmacist kept looking at my daughter.
My daughter leaned over to me and said, "Check out the pharmacist, mom. He's strung out and high on something and he wants to ask me out. I can tell."
No kidding.
We finally completed the transaction and as we were leaving my daughter said, "What kind of a pharmacist is stoned on the job? He looked like he just smoked a big, fat one coming from the skate park to report to work."
Yup. This is our new workforce. We are drug testing the wrong work pool.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Monterey
I've been heading south these days down to the Monterey Peninsula and whatnot. It's changed. Just ask anybody who grew up there in the 60's and 70's. It's now Hollywood North and that is not a complement.
The hotel we are assigned to is one of the 'old staples' of Monterey. It's been bombarded with pretentious people with pretentious kids and pets. Please don't get me wrong, I love kids and pets. I have kids and pets myself. Here is what NOT to do traveling with pets and kids....and PLEASE go back to southern CA where the superficial belong:
1. Do NOT allow your dog to walk all over the reception desk area. It's not cute. It's just plain unsanitary. Gross. It's the same concept as if somebody put their dirty feet up on your desk/table;
2. Your dog is not a human, please stop trying to place human attributes on him;
3. Your little, yappy teacup dog is NOT a service animal. We are not fooled. Stop ruining it for those who legitimately have a disability;
4. Taking pictures of your dog entering the hotel like he is royalty is also overboard. Having hotel staff people stop assisting other guests only for you to shove your iPhone in their hand to capture it for a social medial blast is also gross;
5. Your kids are your responsibility -- not the other guests nor the hotel staff. Please instill basic manners on them like not running noisily through the lobby nor restaurant area on wheels. It's a disaster waiting to happen with a staff person carrying a large load of hot food and drink. We see you parents tucked into the corner enjoying your dinner while your brats are at large. Knowing the type of people you are, you would sue the hotel if one of your kids tripped up a waiter and a platter filled with hot coffee hit precious snowflake Declan on the head;
6. You drive a Maserati. Get over it. We have. Stop being an ass and taking up two parking places. If your car means that much to you where you can't take it out in public for fear of a ding or scratch...just don't....please put it on display elsewhere....like in a museum if you think your car is that great. I hope you know that taking up two parking places only invites people to 'accidentally' key the side of it;
7. Reality Check: You are NOT the center of the universe. Stop acting like it.
The hotel we are assigned to is one of the 'old staples' of Monterey. It's been bombarded with pretentious people with pretentious kids and pets. Please don't get me wrong, I love kids and pets. I have kids and pets myself. Here is what NOT to do traveling with pets and kids....and PLEASE go back to southern CA where the superficial belong:
1. Do NOT allow your dog to walk all over the reception desk area. It's not cute. It's just plain unsanitary. Gross. It's the same concept as if somebody put their dirty feet up on your desk/table;
2. Your dog is not a human, please stop trying to place human attributes on him;
3. Your little, yappy teacup dog is NOT a service animal. We are not fooled. Stop ruining it for those who legitimately have a disability;
4. Taking pictures of your dog entering the hotel like he is royalty is also overboard. Having hotel staff people stop assisting other guests only for you to shove your iPhone in their hand to capture it for a social medial blast is also gross;
5. Your kids are your responsibility -- not the other guests nor the hotel staff. Please instill basic manners on them like not running noisily through the lobby nor restaurant area on wheels. It's a disaster waiting to happen with a staff person carrying a large load of hot food and drink. We see you parents tucked into the corner enjoying your dinner while your brats are at large. Knowing the type of people you are, you would sue the hotel if one of your kids tripped up a waiter and a platter filled with hot coffee hit precious snowflake Declan on the head;
6. You drive a Maserati. Get over it. We have. Stop being an ass and taking up two parking places. If your car means that much to you where you can't take it out in public for fear of a ding or scratch...just don't....please put it on display elsewhere....like in a museum if you think your car is that great. I hope you know that taking up two parking places only invites people to 'accidentally' key the side of it;
7. Reality Check: You are NOT the center of the universe. Stop acting like it.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Havin' a Good Time: My Roots are Showing Part II
When I was a kid I was subject to country music from the time I was in the womb. Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash (along with June Carter-Cash), Kitty Wells, etc. The Grand Ol' Opry was a staple in my house growing up. I should also mention the Lawrence Welk Show where I would try to catch the bubbles through the television set as the orchestra played. I suppose that was my first clue I was someday going to be a cat lover.
Of course, that means the moment I could assert independence I HATED country music as that was something old farts listed to and it was sooooooooo lame.
I went full circle on this one, folks. Come to find out that my parents have a lot of innate wisdom that only growing up in the 30's and 40's that the Depression and WWII could teach on a Midwest prairie. Wisdom is different than knowledge -- they are not the same. A lot of people have knowledge. That is something you get from a classroom or studying. Wisdom goes waaaaaaaay deeper than that. My dad is extremely WISE. He does not say a lot, but when he does it's potent and powerful...and you better listen up... cuz he won't repeat it. He's not one for small talk as that's just useless noise to him.
As much as my parents have completely messed me up with our dysfunctional dynamics, I've come to a place of acceptance and peace about it all rather than anger, hurt, and blame. I'm lucky I still have both of my parents around to talk to -- with their quirks and all. Believe me, I'm going to write a book someday. I would not be the person I am today without them. I suppose that's reason enough for the world to come after me with pitchforks in hand. ha ha ha
Which now brings me back to country music. I left it for a long, long time. Only recently I have discovered country line dancing. This one is my favorite at the moment...and I'm having a good time. I can shimmi my shoulders like no other and get the attention;) Good Time.
Of course, that means the moment I could assert independence I HATED country music as that was something old farts listed to and it was sooooooooo lame.
I went full circle on this one, folks. Come to find out that my parents have a lot of innate wisdom that only growing up in the 30's and 40's that the Depression and WWII could teach on a Midwest prairie. Wisdom is different than knowledge -- they are not the same. A lot of people have knowledge. That is something you get from a classroom or studying. Wisdom goes waaaaaaaay deeper than that. My dad is extremely WISE. He does not say a lot, but when he does it's potent and powerful...and you better listen up... cuz he won't repeat it. He's not one for small talk as that's just useless noise to him.
As much as my parents have completely messed me up with our dysfunctional dynamics, I've come to a place of acceptance and peace about it all rather than anger, hurt, and blame. I'm lucky I still have both of my parents around to talk to -- with their quirks and all. Believe me, I'm going to write a book someday. I would not be the person I am today without them. I suppose that's reason enough for the world to come after me with pitchforks in hand. ha ha ha
Which now brings me back to country music. I left it for a long, long time. Only recently I have discovered country line dancing. This one is my favorite at the moment...and I'm having a good time. I can shimmi my shoulders like no other and get the attention;) Good Time.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
The Party Got Rough
I've been a natural hostess since I was a teenager and my parents would leave for the weekend. What were my parents thinking???? They left a teenage girl unsupervised. The parties that were hosted on my street in conjunction with JLB are legendary. They are still talked about to this day.
...and to this day the parties can get a little out of control. It was a chair-smashing of a good time the other night. Here's the proof. Nobody got hurt and the cops did not show up. LOL
...and to this day the parties can get a little out of control. It was a chair-smashing of a good time the other night. Here's the proof. Nobody got hurt and the cops did not show up. LOL
Friday, November 25, 2016
Only My Father
Only my father would hang a deer carcass from a tree just to watch the crows pick away at it. I can't even bring myself to post a photo of it because it's too disturbing. The scary part is that I have half of his DNA.
Tired
I'm tired today. I stayed up until 2:00 AM cleaning up the kitchen, putting away dishes, boxing up leftovers, wiping up gravy dribbles that seem to get everywhere, and taking empty bottles out to the recycling. Lots of empty bottles. Alcohol was needed to get through the day. Plus, I was just simply basking in the post-holiday exhale simply breathing in the peace and quiet in the middle of the night.
I did it. I completed another successful holiday feeding frenzy. Of course Lazy Butt was here, and as expected, did not lift a finger to help with anything. Lazy Butt was first in line for the main meal and also when the desert was being served. I had to serve buffet style as I had too many people to do anything otherwise. Lazy Butt did not even say goodbye upon leaving and just slipped out the door. Nice. Whatever. Lazy Butt will never change.
Now it's the consumer frenzy known as Black Friday. I don't know why/how that came to be as it sounds so ominous and I associate it with the stock market crash of 1929. Today I'm not purchasing anything other than more onions for my turkey soup. I'll never be one of those people camping out on a sidewalk waiting for Target to open. I know there is a movement against the over-consumerism we are bombarded with this time of year. That's cool. However, we are all part of the problem and all of us enjoy modern conveniences at the cost of abusing earth's resources. All commerce pollutes.
I did it. I completed another successful holiday feeding frenzy. Of course Lazy Butt was here, and as expected, did not lift a finger to help with anything. Lazy Butt was first in line for the main meal and also when the desert was being served. I had to serve buffet style as I had too many people to do anything otherwise. Lazy Butt did not even say goodbye upon leaving and just slipped out the door. Nice. Whatever. Lazy Butt will never change.
Now it's the consumer frenzy known as Black Friday. I don't know why/how that came to be as it sounds so ominous and I associate it with the stock market crash of 1929. Today I'm not purchasing anything other than more onions for my turkey soup. I'll never be one of those people camping out on a sidewalk waiting for Target to open. I know there is a movement against the over-consumerism we are bombarded with this time of year. That's cool. However, we are all part of the problem and all of us enjoy modern conveniences at the cost of abusing earth's resources. All commerce pollutes.
Turkey Done Right
It was the star of the show today -- my turkey. I'm so proud of it. It was crispy on the outside and soooooo super tender and juicy on the inside. It was gobbled up (no pun intended). My turkey was cooked to perfection. I always hold my breath each year as no two turkeys are ever the same and other little differences can throw the most well planned cooking strategy awry.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgivng Day Parade
As I was prepping food earlier today I caught glimpses on TV of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It looked like every state in the union had a float this year. I admit I got a little teary eyed when I saw Hawaii. It's the first year EVER my cling peach of a kid is not home as she is away at school in Hawaii. She has been glued to my side for the last two decades. Now she's not glued to my side. The separation needed to happen, but I do miss her. At this very moment she's on the beach in Waikiki with her boyfriend. Poor baby. Me? I'm cooking for about 20 people. I have to do something to keep myself busy...otherwise I would spend all my time bitching on this stupid blog.
Which gets me back to the Macy's parade. I was catching glimpses of all the states being represented at the parade while prepping food. I cried when I saw Hawaii with the dancers in their grass skirts. Texas's float had a great big wall on one side, and North Dakota's float represented police fire hosing protesters at Standing Rock.
Just kidding. It would have been in incredibly poor taste, but extremely funny. I know, I know... I have a sick sense of humor. The only true part was crying when I saw Hawaii.
Which gets me back to the Macy's parade. I was catching glimpses of all the states being represented at the parade while prepping food. I cried when I saw Hawaii with the dancers in their grass skirts. Texas's float had a great big wall on one side, and North Dakota's float represented police fire hosing protesters at Standing Rock.
Just kidding. It would have been in incredibly poor taste, but extremely funny. I know, I know... I have a sick sense of humor. The only true part was crying when I saw Hawaii.
Do You Really Want To Help?
Here's a shout out to the universe in case anybody is feeling a tad guilty about going to somebody's house for Thanksgiving dinner, or any holiday for that matter, and you want to offer your 'help'. You feel a twinge of guilt seeing how hard your host family is working to pull it off for 20 people. About a week before hand, you contact the host family and ask what you can bring to the table. Literally.
Please, PLEASE respect the host family's wish if they tell you NOTHING and that it's all planned and under control. Unless you have some severe food allergy that will interrupt dinner with a 911 call land you in the ER, do NOT bring along food. No, being 'gluten sensitive' and all other bullshit allergies/aversions that are en vogue at the moment don't count. You're just being a whiney pain in the ass. STFU and eat what you can and spare us the lecture on your food choices. We don't give a flying monkey and it's poor manners on your part.
On the flip side to that, if the host family replies with a "yes, thank you for offering. It would be lovely if you brought the pumpkin pie" here is what NOT to do -- do NOT gather all the ingredients and think you can use the host family's kitchen to put it all together and bake it. The kitchen is already being overused. We don't want you hogging up our kitchen space, making a mess, and commandeering sacred oven time.
If you really feel like you want to help OFFER TO HOST NEXT YEAR. Silence. I thought so. It's a lot of work. Even the most gracious of hosts would like a break.
Please, PLEASE respect the host family's wish if they tell you NOTHING and that it's all planned and under control. Unless you have some severe food allergy that will interrupt dinner with a 911 call land you in the ER, do NOT bring along food. No, being 'gluten sensitive' and all other bullshit allergies/aversions that are en vogue at the moment don't count. You're just being a whiney pain in the ass. STFU and eat what you can and spare us the lecture on your food choices. We don't give a flying monkey and it's poor manners on your part.
On the flip side to that, if the host family replies with a "yes, thank you for offering. It would be lovely if you brought the pumpkin pie" here is what NOT to do -- do NOT gather all the ingredients and think you can use the host family's kitchen to put it all together and bake it. The kitchen is already being overused. We don't want you hogging up our kitchen space, making a mess, and commandeering sacred oven time.
If you really feel like you want to help OFFER TO HOST NEXT YEAR. Silence. I thought so. It's a lot of work. Even the most gracious of hosts would like a break.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Dr. John: Right Place Wrong Time
OK... I've been in a mood the last few days. I'll admit it. I need to lighten up and take a chill pill. Yeah... lighten up and take a chill pill. In fact, that's in the cards for tonight. I feel the need to express my soul dance moves and that also includes watching the Raiders game at a bar in Oakland. I have a feeling tonight will not end well, but WTF. Let me have a little fun, OK???? I don't always walk around all prune-faced and angry at the world.
...and I can move pretty good....for a white girl.
...and I can move pretty good....for a white girl.
Give Me an Answer
I'm not a demanding person. However, I draw the line at being strung along indefinitely. People don't want to commit to anything - especially an invitation to freely given hospitality. For whatever reason, people find this type of invitation the easiest to dodge, hedge, ignore, and cancel without notice.
Once an invitation is accepted, there better be a damn good excuse other than being stuck in traffic or a Brady Bunch re-run to cancel. You better be on your death bed...and your grandma's death bed does not count. We've heard that one 1,000 times already.
Ohhhhh, Quiet Rage sounds a bit cranky today. Who peed in her Cheerios?
No, this is not a trap. Accepting or declining an invitation is not a control issue on your life. It's basic manners that escapes the vast majority of people. In fact, I wish you would decline my invitation with a definite 'no' rather than accepting only to cancel at the last minute, bringing uninvited guests, or not showing up at all. Good manners also dictate that the host may not inquire the reason for accepting or declining an invitation. All we need is an answer one way or another - not your life story.
I'm trying to put together a holiday meal. Only those who have done this can understand. There is a lot to coordinate. Dinner does not magically appear on the table with the wave of a magic wand.
I finally got snarky with the fence sitters who have not given me an answer. I contacted them (as they never responded to my invitation anyway) to say that I'm sorry they won't be joining us as I did not hear one way or another and I ordered the turkey size for those who gave me the courtesy of a reply. Time was running out and the matter could not wait.
Shock waves ensued after. What???? I could hear a pin drop on the other end of the phone. Their silence was an exceedingly audible whine of, "Now what??? Where am I going to go on Thanksgiving to get an awesome meal for free? Everything is closed or the food tastes like crap!"
Once an invitation is accepted, there better be a damn good excuse other than being stuck in traffic or a Brady Bunch re-run to cancel. You better be on your death bed...and your grandma's death bed does not count. We've heard that one 1,000 times already.
Ohhhhh, Quiet Rage sounds a bit cranky today. Who peed in her Cheerios?
No, this is not a trap. Accepting or declining an invitation is not a control issue on your life. It's basic manners that escapes the vast majority of people. In fact, I wish you would decline my invitation with a definite 'no' rather than accepting only to cancel at the last minute, bringing uninvited guests, or not showing up at all. Good manners also dictate that the host may not inquire the reason for accepting or declining an invitation. All we need is an answer one way or another - not your life story.
I'm trying to put together a holiday meal. Only those who have done this can understand. There is a lot to coordinate. Dinner does not magically appear on the table with the wave of a magic wand.
I finally got snarky with the fence sitters who have not given me an answer. I contacted them (as they never responded to my invitation anyway) to say that I'm sorry they won't be joining us as I did not hear one way or another and I ordered the turkey size for those who gave me the courtesy of a reply. Time was running out and the matter could not wait.
Shock waves ensued after. What???? I could hear a pin drop on the other end of the phone. Their silence was an exceedingly audible whine of, "Now what??? Where am I going to go on Thanksgiving to get an awesome meal for free? Everything is closed or the food tastes like crap!"
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Time to Talk Turkey
I talk turkey all the time on this stupid blog. Where else can I spew random diatribe?
It's (insert dramatic booming timpani drum foreshadowing something ominous) THE HOLIDAYS!!!! Yes, the annual horror movie is coming to YOUR neighborhood. It's coming to your HOME if even if you did not invite it!!!!
You know it's bad when you start dreaming about it like I did last night. I've said this before and I'll say it again. We all expect world peace but can't sit down with certain family members for one meal without bringing up how so-and-so is a lazy, stupid, selfish, drunken, mooching, ass who is spending mom's money so quickly and manipulating the will/trust that it's feared there will be nothing left for YOU when she dies.
Grow up. Your parents don't owe you anything. Nobody owes you anything. To top it off, mom can spend her money and divvy up assets however she wishes even if it pisses you and your money-grubbing spouse off.
Which brings me to Thanksgiving. I'm not above being peeved-off about how family money is siphoned off by certain members of the clan and "mom" continues to enable them while the rest of us are busting our butts trying to to the right thing with jobs, saving, etc. I'm not above being totally peeved at the clan member who continues being spoon fed at age 50. Why should Lazy Butt get a job and pay bills? Mommy will step in with a broom and clean up the mess with continued financial bailouts that Lazy Butt PROMISES to repay. This is the LAST TIME Lazy Butt will ever ask for a handout. Yup. Sure. Until next month when the cycle repeats itself.
The holidays roll around and, of course, Lazy Butt is going to show up for Thanksgiving dinner as a defacto guest of mom and dad because Lazy Butt lives with parents after the second divorce and, like toilet paper trailing from mom and dad's shoes, Lazy Butt follows. Lazy Butt has no where else to go for the holidays, anyway. Lazy Butt's own kids can't even stand Lazy Butt.
It will get interesting this week, people. I'm going to take the higher road and embrace Lazy Butt's existence in my home as I am cooking (as usual). It does not mean I have to like it. Of course, Lazy Butt will do nothing but fart on my couch, drink excessively, and watch football. Lazy Butt will contribute nothing. Thank goddesses the kids are now old enough to ward off Lazy Butt's sick sexual advances to younger relatives. A swift kick in the crotch usually deters that.
I really struggle having Lazy Butt in my home. It's like condoning incest and sexual abuse...and it's like this behavior is REWARDED by mom and dad with the continued financial enabling and making up excuses for Lazy Butt. Like I said earlier, we all want world peace but struggle to sit down to one meal together. Like I said earlier, I'm not above being upset and torn about family dynamics.
OHHMMMMMMMMM OHMMMMMMMMMM OHMMMMMMMM and pass the wine.
It's (insert dramatic booming timpani drum foreshadowing something ominous) THE HOLIDAYS!!!! Yes, the annual horror movie is coming to YOUR neighborhood. It's coming to your HOME if even if you did not invite it!!!!
You know it's bad when you start dreaming about it like I did last night. I've said this before and I'll say it again. We all expect world peace but can't sit down with certain family members for one meal without bringing up how so-and-so is a lazy, stupid, selfish, drunken, mooching, ass who is spending mom's money so quickly and manipulating the will/trust that it's feared there will be nothing left for YOU when she dies.
Grow up. Your parents don't owe you anything. Nobody owes you anything. To top it off, mom can spend her money and divvy up assets however she wishes even if it pisses you and your money-grubbing spouse off.
Which brings me to Thanksgiving. I'm not above being peeved-off about how family money is siphoned off by certain members of the clan and "mom" continues to enable them while the rest of us are busting our butts trying to to the right thing with jobs, saving, etc. I'm not above being totally peeved at the clan member who continues being spoon fed at age 50. Why should Lazy Butt get a job and pay bills? Mommy will step in with a broom and clean up the mess with continued financial bailouts that Lazy Butt PROMISES to repay. This is the LAST TIME Lazy Butt will ever ask for a handout. Yup. Sure. Until next month when the cycle repeats itself.
The holidays roll around and, of course, Lazy Butt is going to show up for Thanksgiving dinner as a defacto guest of mom and dad because Lazy Butt lives with parents after the second divorce and, like toilet paper trailing from mom and dad's shoes, Lazy Butt follows. Lazy Butt has no where else to go for the holidays, anyway. Lazy Butt's own kids can't even stand Lazy Butt.
It will get interesting this week, people. I'm going to take the higher road and embrace Lazy Butt's existence in my home as I am cooking (as usual). It does not mean I have to like it. Of course, Lazy Butt will do nothing but fart on my couch, drink excessively, and watch football. Lazy Butt will contribute nothing. Thank goddesses the kids are now old enough to ward off Lazy Butt's sick sexual advances to younger relatives. A swift kick in the crotch usually deters that.
I really struggle having Lazy Butt in my home. It's like condoning incest and sexual abuse...and it's like this behavior is REWARDED by mom and dad with the continued financial enabling and making up excuses for Lazy Butt. Like I said earlier, we all want world peace but struggle to sit down to one meal together. Like I said earlier, I'm not above being upset and torn about family dynamics.
OHHMMMMMMMMM OHMMMMMMMMMM OHMMMMMMMM and pass the wine.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Be Clean With Your Garbage
Do us all a little favor and help the environment. Please be clean with your garbage. It's more than picking up your own trash like a responsible human being does, it's sorting trash from what can be recycled.
No, your used kleenex does NOT go in the recycle bin and neither does your oily pizza box.
Years ago back in 1989 I lived in an apartment complex in Petaluma. Earth Day was just becoming a thing and nobody recycled. I remember approaching the manager of the complex and offering to set up a recycling program. I'll never forget the look she had on her face when she told me point blank, "You think people are going to actually sort their trash responsibly? People are sloppy PIGS and they don't care about ANYTHING that does not directly impact their immediate self-gratification, let alone sorting trash they are throwing out either one way or another."
Wow. I just remember being stunned at her reaction to my wanting to voluntarily set up the program. Now, many years later, I understand why she said what she said.
It's true. People ARE pigs.
We all want to feel good about recycling. The truth of the matter is that so many people are not properly sorting trash from recyclables that recycling is now a joke -- it takes more energy and resources (which we are trying to conserve) to clean up the recyclables before they can be recycled than if we just put it all in the trash. If news of the ineffectiveness of recycling broke out, every Prius driving tree-hugger and Hairy Arm Pit Club member would be up in arms.
I suppose I'm asking a bit much from humans to keep their own pen clean. At least pigs do that. Pigs are actually neat animals. They don't intentionally destroy their living quarters. I'm re-affirmed of that each time I drive out the back roads and see mattresses, refrigerators, couches, broken glass, beer cans, tires, burger wrappers, cigarette butts, etc., on the side of the road. Many times I see it in the middle of the road.
No, your used kleenex does NOT go in the recycle bin and neither does your oily pizza box.
Years ago back in 1989 I lived in an apartment complex in Petaluma. Earth Day was just becoming a thing and nobody recycled. I remember approaching the manager of the complex and offering to set up a recycling program. I'll never forget the look she had on her face when she told me point blank, "You think people are going to actually sort their trash responsibly? People are sloppy PIGS and they don't care about ANYTHING that does not directly impact their immediate self-gratification, let alone sorting trash they are throwing out either one way or another."
Wow. I just remember being stunned at her reaction to my wanting to voluntarily set up the program. Now, many years later, I understand why she said what she said.
It's true. People ARE pigs.
We all want to feel good about recycling. The truth of the matter is that so many people are not properly sorting trash from recyclables that recycling is now a joke -- it takes more energy and resources (which we are trying to conserve) to clean up the recyclables before they can be recycled than if we just put it all in the trash. If news of the ineffectiveness of recycling broke out, every Prius driving tree-hugger and Hairy Arm Pit Club member would be up in arms.
I suppose I'm asking a bit much from humans to keep their own pen clean. At least pigs do that. Pigs are actually neat animals. They don't intentionally destroy their living quarters. I'm re-affirmed of that each time I drive out the back roads and see mattresses, refrigerators, couches, broken glass, beer cans, tires, burger wrappers, cigarette butts, etc., on the side of the road. Many times I see it in the middle of the road.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Anthony Weiner
Saturday, November 12, 2016
What Are You Protesting?????
What are you all protesting about? A fair and square election result? Perhaps not everybody is thrilled with the results, but show me where there has been an injustice in the process - besides where Clinton torpedoed Sanders - and the price was paid for that move.
I don't like people out there beating up other people. I don't care which side of the political camp you are on if any. Many of us don't even belong to *any* particular political camp. No matter. Going out there like a band of idiots burning, trashing, destruction and beating others up will accomplish exactly WHAT? Ohhhhhhh, you're a big person if you throw a temper tantrum like a two year old because you did not get your way.
Grow up. All of you.
The time to protest will be when our newly elected (gagging reflex happening) president makes actual policy that deserves us to be angry. Even then, destruction is not the answer.
Here's my fear. Trump is a political outsider. He dared to rock the political establishment and disrupted the status quo. The Clinton-Bush Political Bullshit Factory is extremely powerful. They will join forces to assassinate Trump. Of course, they will make it look like an accident. Pence becomes president and that's when the nightmare will really happen along with a republican congress. It won't be exactly to the democrats liking, but their brand of so-called order and peace will be returned to Washington, D.C.
Personally, I don't think Trump actually thought he would win. Now he needs to put his money where his mouth is. I don't think he has as much money as he wants us all to believe.
I don't like people out there beating up other people. I don't care which side of the political camp you are on if any. Many of us don't even belong to *any* particular political camp. No matter. Going out there like a band of idiots burning, trashing, destruction and beating others up will accomplish exactly WHAT? Ohhhhhhh, you're a big person if you throw a temper tantrum like a two year old because you did not get your way.
Grow up. All of you.
The time to protest will be when our newly elected (gagging reflex happening) president makes actual policy that deserves us to be angry. Even then, destruction is not the answer.
Here's my fear. Trump is a political outsider. He dared to rock the political establishment and disrupted the status quo. The Clinton-Bush Political Bullshit Factory is extremely powerful. They will join forces to assassinate Trump. Of course, they will make it look like an accident. Pence becomes president and that's when the nightmare will really happen along with a republican congress. It won't be exactly to the democrats liking, but their brand of so-called order and peace will be returned to Washington, D.C.
Personally, I don't think Trump actually thought he would win. Now he needs to put his money where his mouth is. I don't think he has as much money as he wants us all to believe.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Great job, America
Do you all realize what you've just done? Douse everything in gasoline, light the match, and toss it over your shoulder just to see what blows up. Like most pyromaniacs, they will sit back and watch the mother f**** burn in glorious satisfaction from a comfortable distance not really giving a hoot about the damage and destruction they are causing.
Congratulations.
The election results were less than 24 hours ago. Already the neo-nazi's are entering into gay, Muslim, and Mexican communities beating them up and threatening them. A brigade of red neck cowboys came into the notoriously gay Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego to beat up gays who were just going about their daily business and living their lives. Bullying is happening. Ignorant Americans are taking the Trump win as a license to openly bully, ostracize, and discriminate against segments of our population. After all, their newly-elected president got elected on such shit tactics.
However, I see how this a**h*** got elected. People were tired of the Clinton-Bush Bullshit Factory of F-U over Politics. Corporations are people??? Really???? Wall Street donates ka-billions of dollars to Clinton? While that may look good for my stock retirement portfolio, that's a really short sighted view. Money is made on the backs of others. Don't ever forget that.
Clinton had her issues. Granted. Everybody does. However, she never openly made fun and mocked people based on their age, weight, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, whatever. She at least acknowledged people in all shapes and forms as humans for the sake of TV cameras.
The devil known is ALWAYS better than the devil unknown. Don't ever forget that, either.
Congratulations.
The election results were less than 24 hours ago. Already the neo-nazi's are entering into gay, Muslim, and Mexican communities beating them up and threatening them. A brigade of red neck cowboys came into the notoriously gay Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego to beat up gays who were just going about their daily business and living their lives. Bullying is happening. Ignorant Americans are taking the Trump win as a license to openly bully, ostracize, and discriminate against segments of our population. After all, their newly-elected president got elected on such shit tactics.
However, I see how this a**h*** got elected. People were tired of the Clinton-Bush Bullshit Factory of F-U over Politics. Corporations are people??? Really???? Wall Street donates ka-billions of dollars to Clinton? While that may look good for my stock retirement portfolio, that's a really short sighted view. Money is made on the backs of others. Don't ever forget that.
Clinton had her issues. Granted. Everybody does. However, she never openly made fun and mocked people based on their age, weight, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, whatever. She at least acknowledged people in all shapes and forms as humans for the sake of TV cameras.
The devil known is ALWAYS better than the devil unknown. Don't ever forget that, either.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
The Benefit Audit
Surprise! I'm not going to rant about the election today. Every a**h*** on the planet is already doing so. I don't want to choke up the universe's cosmic energy with more. I'm going off on a totally different tangent today. The benefit audit.
We all know the IRS performs their audits. Nobody likes them, but unfortunately it's the only mechanism that prevents all of us from cheating more on our tax returns than we already do. The IRS no longer has a monopoly on audits. Guess what. Now it's the benefit audit. Yes, you will need to prove your marriage and dependents that are coat-tailing on your health insurance.
Coming from the employer-sponsored health care perspective, it costs us (depending on the specific plan and number of dependents) about $2,700 per month to insure you. Some employers pass some of that cost off to you, the employee, but some employers pay the whole thing. So don't bitch when we have to up your doctor's office visit from $20 to $25. That's not my point. I have not even touched on the cost of prescription drugs, as that is another rant.
Yeah, it's a lot of money we're shelling out. People are figuring out how expensive health care really is - even if you're insured through your employer. Because the cost is so prohibitive it's a natural breeding ground for misrepresentation (notice I did not use the word FRAUD, but that's what it really is). Divorced people do not report the divorce to their insurance and carry ex-spouses on the plan. People remarry and put step kids on the plan without legally adopting them. In a divorce these days forget about who gets the house and kids. The house is leveraged to pay for credit card debt if it's not teetering on foreclosure, anyway, and the kids are spoiled brats neither parent really wants. It's who's going to carry and pay for health insurance.
Yes, even Quiet Rage is being audited for health benefits. I think we all will be audited soon. I'll walk you through the process so at least you have a heads-up. Here's the general process many of you will experience when the benefit audit comes to you. Ready? Here goes.
You take your kid to the doctor, dentist, whatever. Everything is seemingly normal. About 30 days later you will get a call or a letter from said doctor, dentist, whatever saying that your claim has not been paid by your insurance and you owe them $160 for the office visit.
You: WTF!!!!!!!!!! I have insurance!!! This should not BE!!! There is something WRONG!!!!
At first you will try to blame the doctor's office thinking they are effed up. You take your frustration out at the poor person at the front desk. Save your anger. Wrong target.
You call the insurance company to see what's going on. After being on hold for 30 minutes you finally get a live person. They tell you that because they have not received the completed benefit audit they mailed to you 3 months ago, all claims incurred would not be paid until the audit has been completed. One of two scenarios are at play here:
(a) You threw the benefit audit forms away when it came in the mail thinking it was junk;
(b) You kind of remember seeing something like that but did not read the part where you needed to submit proof of your marriage and dependents within a specified time window -- and especially the part where claims would not be paid if you failed to do so. It's in the bottom of your paper pile somewhere in your kitchen or car.
No matter, now your peeved. You now have to submit proof of your marriage and continued co-habitation via your last year's federal tax filings and/or a monthy, recurring bill that has both of your names on it to the same address no more than 60 days old.
For your dependents you will need to provide birth certificates naming the primary insured as a parent, or legal adoption papers.
Sorry it has come to this. We simply cannot keep your ex-spouses on the plan nor your new wife's kids her from another father. We are tired of being the main bargaining chip in your marriages and divorces. We really do want to provide you and your legitimate dependents health care. Stop fucking it up for those who are doing it legitimately.
We all know the IRS performs their audits. Nobody likes them, but unfortunately it's the only mechanism that prevents all of us from cheating more on our tax returns than we already do. The IRS no longer has a monopoly on audits. Guess what. Now it's the benefit audit. Yes, you will need to prove your marriage and dependents that are coat-tailing on your health insurance.
Coming from the employer-sponsored health care perspective, it costs us (depending on the specific plan and number of dependents) about $2,700 per month to insure you. Some employers pass some of that cost off to you, the employee, but some employers pay the whole thing. So don't bitch when we have to up your doctor's office visit from $20 to $25. That's not my point. I have not even touched on the cost of prescription drugs, as that is another rant.
Yeah, it's a lot of money we're shelling out. People are figuring out how expensive health care really is - even if you're insured through your employer. Because the cost is so prohibitive it's a natural breeding ground for misrepresentation (notice I did not use the word FRAUD, but that's what it really is). Divorced people do not report the divorce to their insurance and carry ex-spouses on the plan. People remarry and put step kids on the plan without legally adopting them. In a divorce these days forget about who gets the house and kids. The house is leveraged to pay for credit card debt if it's not teetering on foreclosure, anyway, and the kids are spoiled brats neither parent really wants. It's who's going to carry and pay for health insurance.
Yes, even Quiet Rage is being audited for health benefits. I think we all will be audited soon. I'll walk you through the process so at least you have a heads-up. Here's the general process many of you will experience when the benefit audit comes to you. Ready? Here goes.
You take your kid to the doctor, dentist, whatever. Everything is seemingly normal. About 30 days later you will get a call or a letter from said doctor, dentist, whatever saying that your claim has not been paid by your insurance and you owe them $160 for the office visit.
You: WTF!!!!!!!!!! I have insurance!!! This should not BE!!! There is something WRONG!!!!
At first you will try to blame the doctor's office thinking they are effed up. You take your frustration out at the poor person at the front desk. Save your anger. Wrong target.
You call the insurance company to see what's going on. After being on hold for 30 minutes you finally get a live person. They tell you that because they have not received the completed benefit audit they mailed to you 3 months ago, all claims incurred would not be paid until the audit has been completed. One of two scenarios are at play here:
(a) You threw the benefit audit forms away when it came in the mail thinking it was junk;
(b) You kind of remember seeing something like that but did not read the part where you needed to submit proof of your marriage and dependents within a specified time window -- and especially the part where claims would not be paid if you failed to do so. It's in the bottom of your paper pile somewhere in your kitchen or car.
No matter, now your peeved. You now have to submit proof of your marriage and continued co-habitation via your last year's federal tax filings and/or a monthy, recurring bill that has both of your names on it to the same address no more than 60 days old.
For your dependents you will need to provide birth certificates naming the primary insured as a parent, or legal adoption papers.
Sorry it has come to this. We simply cannot keep your ex-spouses on the plan nor your new wife's kids her from another father. We are tired of being the main bargaining chip in your marriages and divorces. We really do want to provide you and your legitimate dependents health care. Stop fucking it up for those who are doing it legitimately.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Intuit Turbo Tax Data Breach
Did you all get the news? I got mine via email. Most of you probably deleted it without reading like all the other uber important security disclosures embedded in leagal-eeze basically saying they have not secured your personal information like they PROMISED and it got hacked and now the long-term consequences are unknown. However, Intuit/turbo tax CARES about your privacy and will do everything they can to protect it.
Bullshit. That's why they outsource overseas. Make no mistake, there are plenty of Intuit/Turbo Tax hacking thieves within our own borders. It just complicates things when it's international.
Intuit's Turbo Tax program has the biggest personal data breach of all time but the press is ignoring it. Why? Because it would mean dealing with IRS. The IRS operates on their own set of rules they make up as they go along as to what they want to disclose. The IRS *LOVES* getting their information electronically as that means they don't have to deal with 319 million of us citizens sending in reams of paper on countless forms *they* prescribed via snail mail and have to figure out their own insane tax codes they wrote. Disclosing a massive data breach to the public means losing faith in filing electronically. It's the IRS's worst nightmare. They would have to deal with the mountains of paper they now, at the moment, don't really have to deal with via the 'click' of online filing.
Party is over, IRS and Intuit. Thanks to security breaches and international "customer service" centers our personal information is out there in cyberland just waiting to be hacked. Why else do you think the surge in so-called IRS agents calling and emailing us almost daily threatening us on dummy charges is on the rise? Why else do you think that tax fraud identity theft has increased 1,000 fold?
Here's how you get revenge. Paper file your returns via snail mail. Chop down that tree to print the reams of paper the IRS demands you complete. Get 2 more printer cartridges. It may mean renting a U-Haul truck to submit your forms to the IRS, but at least you know your personal information is on a more traceable path rather than launching it into the vulnerable vastness of cyberspace; and therefore, not at the hackable whim of any Snowden-video-geek-techno-wanabee.
Key words for 2017: Snail mail and cash are making a comeback. You've all ruined the convenience of "online" whatever. We don't trust you with our information.
Bullshit. That's why they outsource overseas. Make no mistake, there are plenty of Intuit/Turbo Tax hacking thieves within our own borders. It just complicates things when it's international.
Intuit's Turbo Tax program has the biggest personal data breach of all time but the press is ignoring it. Why? Because it would mean dealing with IRS. The IRS operates on their own set of rules they make up as they go along as to what they want to disclose. The IRS *LOVES* getting their information electronically as that means they don't have to deal with 319 million of us citizens sending in reams of paper on countless forms *they* prescribed via snail mail and have to figure out their own insane tax codes they wrote. Disclosing a massive data breach to the public means losing faith in filing electronically. It's the IRS's worst nightmare. They would have to deal with the mountains of paper they now, at the moment, don't really have to deal with via the 'click' of online filing.
Party is over, IRS and Intuit. Thanks to security breaches and international "customer service" centers our personal information is out there in cyberland just waiting to be hacked. Why else do you think the surge in so-called IRS agents calling and emailing us almost daily threatening us on dummy charges is on the rise? Why else do you think that tax fraud identity theft has increased 1,000 fold?
Here's how you get revenge. Paper file your returns via snail mail. Chop down that tree to print the reams of paper the IRS demands you complete. Get 2 more printer cartridges. It may mean renting a U-Haul truck to submit your forms to the IRS, but at least you know your personal information is on a more traceable path rather than launching it into the vulnerable vastness of cyberspace; and therefore, not at the hackable whim of any Snowden-video-geek-techno-wanabee.
Key words for 2017: Snail mail and cash are making a comeback. You've all ruined the convenience of "online" whatever. We don't trust you with our information.
Standing Rock Protesters
Yeah. I grew up with 1/2 white 1/2 native 1/2 whatever else in Minnesota/North Dakota. My family's homestead lies upon grounds where a trading trail used to be which now mirrors highway 94. We have artifacts, bones, pottery, arrowheads, and a whole slew of other historical items incase anybody is interested. Now suddenly everybody is interested.
This is ground zero for whites vs. native americans. It has been for the last 150 years. I'm a product of that energy.
Here's what is pissing me off. We now have every unemployed loser "protesting" the pipelines. Really? Would they even care if this were not a fad on Facebook? How did they get to North Dakota? Did they ride a horse or walk? Of course not. They DROVE a car and FLEW in an airplane from some bored, monied sponsor on a Go Fund Me begathon who needed a tax write off to get there. Sorry, but getting to south of Bismarck ND takes the very OIL resources they are protesting.
So what did the city slicker protesters trucked in from California do when they got there? Chant a few things? Smoke from the communal pipe? Ok... they showed up. They wore feathers and danced around the fire. They ate BiSON (not buffalo). Oh no, forget that. they did not eat bison. They are organic GMO free vegetarians. They don't even know the difference between bison and buffalo.... but there they are... protesting.....They got cold and tired of sleeping out on the windy prarie in late fall. They did not get on TV.... They went home. What did they accomplish? They have no real committment to the area nor the tribe and did not even know where North Dakota was on a map until it was "cool" to do so.
Fuck off, fake protesters. You want so show your support? Live in a tipi without running water nor electricity for more than a weekend. Hunt and gather your for your food like the natives did. I guarantee you will not find any buffalo. Never mind... you don't know the difference between buffalo and bison, anyway. AND...... Winter is coming.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Less than one week
Everybody is breathing a preemptive sigh of relief telling themselves that this ridiculous election and associated circus consisting of misbehaving, unethical fools will be over in less than one week.
Oh no it won't. This is just the beginning. We will soon look back to this time wishing it would never end as the aftermath of the election, no matter which candidate wins, will be much worse than super-hype over any deleted email or lack of disclosing tax forms.
The media is loving this. Ratings for an election have never been higher. We are all tuning in for the latest scandal. We don't even care which candidate the scandal relates to - just the scandal alone attracts us like moths to a flame.
I've got news for you all. The government has ALWAYS been corrupt. People lie. You lie. Technology is just making it more difficult for liars to lie. That's the ONLY thing that has changed in recent history when we all long for 'the good old days.' It's just that now people are actually getting caught. However, before we get all high and mighty bashing politicians I've got more news for you. We're all corrupt - every single one of us. The government is just a grand mirror of our collective selves. We don't like what we see, do we. So, think about that all you tax cheats, workers' compensation scammers, adulterers, etc., when you want to blame "our government" for everything. Washington D.C. is us. Magnified.
Here's a parting thought for you all. You all stirred this election circus turd. It's now it's a stinking mess everywhere. Your work will come in the next week and AFTER the election by staying informed and making educated decisions, and also participating in our elections from here on out. How are we going to clean this up? Don't you dare tell me you're too busy and drop the ball. You can watch Monday Night Football or The Voice another time. Change starts with, and continues, because of you.
Oh no it won't. This is just the beginning. We will soon look back to this time wishing it would never end as the aftermath of the election, no matter which candidate wins, will be much worse than super-hype over any deleted email or lack of disclosing tax forms.
The media is loving this. Ratings for an election have never been higher. We are all tuning in for the latest scandal. We don't even care which candidate the scandal relates to - just the scandal alone attracts us like moths to a flame.
I've got news for you all. The government has ALWAYS been corrupt. People lie. You lie. Technology is just making it more difficult for liars to lie. That's the ONLY thing that has changed in recent history when we all long for 'the good old days.' It's just that now people are actually getting caught. However, before we get all high and mighty bashing politicians I've got more news for you. We're all corrupt - every single one of us. The government is just a grand mirror of our collective selves. We don't like what we see, do we. So, think about that all you tax cheats, workers' compensation scammers, adulterers, etc., when you want to blame "our government" for everything. Washington D.C. is us. Magnified.
Here's a parting thought for you all. You all stirred this election circus turd. It's now it's a stinking mess everywhere. Your work will come in the next week and AFTER the election by staying informed and making educated decisions, and also participating in our elections from here on out. How are we going to clean this up? Don't you dare tell me you're too busy and drop the ball. You can watch Monday Night Football or The Voice another time. Change starts with, and continues, because of you.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Blessed Samhain - Black Flames
Blessed Samhain, everybody. That's Happy Halloween to those unfamiliar with Samhain. I'm still freaked out as last night I had a waking nightmare that scared the ****** out of me.
I've always had weird, wonky dreams. That's just me. I've always had them ever since I can remember. I expect weirdness every night when I go to sleep. Last night was different.
My "normal" weird dream was about an old boyfriend. It's weird because now he's been in my dreams for two nights in a row. He want's to talk to me. I'm not sure if I want to talk to him because he was the source of a lot of pain in my life. However, I don't want to be an immature petty bitch, either, after so much water has gone under the bridge. There were some good times and memories. Anyway, in the dream he wants to talk to me and I'm not so sure I want to open up that door. Tigers don't change their stripes. Why bother? Some doors are better left closed.
As I'm struggling as to whether or not I want to talk to him or not the dream suddenly changes. I find myself in bed and I'm being held down by black flames. The flames looked a lot like the picture. I'm trying to wrestle with the black flames and get them off me. Whatever it is, it's definitely evil. At this point I think I'm awake and I see the black flames. I'm scared. For whatever reason, I start out loud with the Lord's Prayer (I'm not a religious person) and the black flames dissipated and vanished.
I've always had weird, wonky dreams. That's just me. I've always had them ever since I can remember. I expect weirdness every night when I go to sleep. Last night was different.
My "normal" weird dream was about an old boyfriend. It's weird because now he's been in my dreams for two nights in a row. He want's to talk to me. I'm not sure if I want to talk to him because he was the source of a lot of pain in my life. However, I don't want to be an immature petty bitch, either, after so much water has gone under the bridge. There were some good times and memories. Anyway, in the dream he wants to talk to me and I'm not so sure I want to open up that door. Tigers don't change their stripes. Why bother? Some doors are better left closed.
As I'm struggling as to whether or not I want to talk to him or not the dream suddenly changes. I find myself in bed and I'm being held down by black flames. The flames looked a lot like the picture. I'm trying to wrestle with the black flames and get them off me. Whatever it is, it's definitely evil. At this point I think I'm awake and I see the black flames. I'm scared. For whatever reason, I start out loud with the Lord's Prayer (I'm not a religious person) and the black flames dissipated and vanished.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Obama Care
I know, I know..... it's not perfect. Show me a government program that is perfect. Here's what I don't get about Obama Care. When this first came into effect those of us employer groups that actually offer *real* health benefits to employees were asked cough up $64 per participant to cover the wave of the uninsured that were about to enter the exchanges so the insurance industry did not take a massive loss treating all those preexisting, nasty conditions (read: expensive).
Do the math. It does not take long to rack up $100,000 to fork over to the insurance industry to help fund Obama Care. How unfair is THAT? Once again, it's the employers that offer decent benefits are the ones that get **** over by the employers that don't.
For well over a decade we would hold our breath at insurance renewal time to see how badly we were going to get raked with premium increases for the coming year. Kaiser? 20%. Health Net 15% blue Cross and Blue Shield? 12%. The double digit increases were based on some convoluted formula they did not want you to figure out. Where there's confusion, there is money. Don't ever forget that.
I'm getting off track. Enter Obama Care. We get our insurance renewals this year. WTF????? They have STABILIZED???? We actually got a DECREASE for Blue Shield, albeit a small fraction of a percentage decrease. It's like when somebody who has been abused for so long is no longer subject to beatings, they take the absence of beatings as a sign of improvement and caring.
Ohhhhhhhh...now insurance companies have to JUSTIFY their rate increases - at least to formal, group plans. It's hard for them to continue to justify double-digit increases when their profits are in the kabillion of dollars. That's good news for us, anyway. It's great news if you're part of a group plan and not some poor, disenfranchised slob on the exchanges. They don't have any collective bargaining power nor a healthy group paying premiums to dilute their expensive conditions. That, my dear friends, is why we're seeing 112% increases for those on Obama Care. Granted, I'm over simplifying the entire scenario but this fact will always hold true: Insurance companies don't ever do anything that they think will bleed money from them. They will take the blood from YOU. They do nothing out of the 'kindness' of their hearts. I don't care what their emotional, syrupy tv commercials say otherwise.
Do the math. It does not take long to rack up $100,000 to fork over to the insurance industry to help fund Obama Care. How unfair is THAT? Once again, it's the employers that offer decent benefits are the ones that get **** over by the employers that don't.
For well over a decade we would hold our breath at insurance renewal time to see how badly we were going to get raked with premium increases for the coming year. Kaiser? 20%. Health Net 15% blue Cross and Blue Shield? 12%. The double digit increases were based on some convoluted formula they did not want you to figure out. Where there's confusion, there is money. Don't ever forget that.
I'm getting off track. Enter Obama Care. We get our insurance renewals this year. WTF????? They have STABILIZED???? We actually got a DECREASE for Blue Shield, albeit a small fraction of a percentage decrease. It's like when somebody who has been abused for so long is no longer subject to beatings, they take the absence of beatings as a sign of improvement and caring.
Ohhhhhhhh...now insurance companies have to JUSTIFY their rate increases - at least to formal, group plans. It's hard for them to continue to justify double-digit increases when their profits are in the kabillion of dollars. That's good news for us, anyway. It's great news if you're part of a group plan and not some poor, disenfranchised slob on the exchanges. They don't have any collective bargaining power nor a healthy group paying premiums to dilute their expensive conditions. That, my dear friends, is why we're seeing 112% increases for those on Obama Care. Granted, I'm over simplifying the entire scenario but this fact will always hold true: Insurance companies don't ever do anything that they think will bleed money from them. They will take the blood from YOU. They do nothing out of the 'kindness' of their hearts. I don't care what their emotional, syrupy tv commercials say otherwise.
He Needs Her
Tonight we went out to pizza with some old friends. We have known this couple for almost 30 years. The wife of this couple and and I went through both our pregnancies together and our kids have also been life-long friends.
Now the kids are grown up and forging their way in the world. Each of our kids has a different personality and life path. It's so funny how life twists and turns and throws us all curve balls when we least expect them.
I guess I'm learning how vulnerable boys really are. They are under so much pressure and they don't get the consideration of a sympathetic media unlike girls. Believe me, I know girls have been treated like garbage throughout history, but let's not leave out boys as they're victims of unfair social expectations as well.
Where I'm going with this is that I think boys nowadays have it pretty tough. We've stripped them of their manhood and taken away all of their natural tendencies belittling then all the way saying they are bad. They can't play cops and robbers. They can't play cowboys and Indians. They can't play with sticks. They can't play with plutonium and other explosives (just checking to see if iyou're awake LOL). Here's my point. We're trying to casterate them because the 'bored moms on prozac committee' thinks all forms of intellect exists on a nationalized test score and the ability to recite spelling words. We've abolished the industrial arts in schools because we foolishly believed that all society really needs are more forms for us to fill out to advance the paper pusher management initiative. We tell boys to sit still in an artificial environment for hours on end listening to some teacher drone on. Show me a building or a bridge that was built with forms.
No wonder boys are frustrated and depressed.
The son of our friends we were at dinner with (I consider him a son as well) now lives in SF with his girlfriend. He's not cut out for the corporate world as an insurance agent or stock broker. God knows we already have enough of them in the world. Where does that leave him? He's a card shark. He does OK as a card shark, but that's not my point. My point is that boys don't have a lot of viable options for their careers if they don't want to spend their lives in an office cubicle.
Which now gets me to his girlfriend. SHE's the one with the job and benefits. He lives with HER. He needs her more than she needs him. She would be perfectly ok financially without him -- and he would be on the streets without her. It's a pattern I'm seeing more and more of.
Now the kids are grown up and forging their way in the world. Each of our kids has a different personality and life path. It's so funny how life twists and turns and throws us all curve balls when we least expect them.
I guess I'm learning how vulnerable boys really are. They are under so much pressure and they don't get the consideration of a sympathetic media unlike girls. Believe me, I know girls have been treated like garbage throughout history, but let's not leave out boys as they're victims of unfair social expectations as well.
Where I'm going with this is that I think boys nowadays have it pretty tough. We've stripped them of their manhood and taken away all of their natural tendencies belittling then all the way saying they are bad. They can't play cops and robbers. They can't play cowboys and Indians. They can't play with sticks. They can't play with plutonium and other explosives (just checking to see if iyou're awake LOL). Here's my point. We're trying to casterate them because the 'bored moms on prozac committee' thinks all forms of intellect exists on a nationalized test score and the ability to recite spelling words. We've abolished the industrial arts in schools because we foolishly believed that all society really needs are more forms for us to fill out to advance the paper pusher management initiative. We tell boys to sit still in an artificial environment for hours on end listening to some teacher drone on. Show me a building or a bridge that was built with forms.
No wonder boys are frustrated and depressed.
The son of our friends we were at dinner with (I consider him a son as well) now lives in SF with his girlfriend. He's not cut out for the corporate world as an insurance agent or stock broker. God knows we already have enough of them in the world. Where does that leave him? He's a card shark. He does OK as a card shark, but that's not my point. My point is that boys don't have a lot of viable options for their careers if they don't want to spend their lives in an office cubicle.
Which now gets me to his girlfriend. SHE's the one with the job and benefits. He lives with HER. He needs her more than she needs him. She would be perfectly ok financially without him -- and he would be on the streets without her. It's a pattern I'm seeing more and more of.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Wells Fargo - Account Scams
Poor Wells Fargo...not. They were caught with their pants down opening up unauthorized accounts. Let me tell you this with 1000% accuracy. Wells Fargo was NOT the only bank doing this. Wells Fargo just happened to get CAUGHT and is now taking the rap for the entire banking industry. I'm just sad that the entire banking industry did not get reprimanded for this.
Don't believe me???? Just talk to ANY bank employee off the record. They were all pressured to call friends, neighbors, relatives, whomever, and push loans and credit cards saying that they noticed we had a new car in the driveway and construction going on at the house, etc. ....asking nosy personal finance questions that were none of their business.....and pushing obtaining a loan/refinance/credit card from their bank.
Don't believe me???? Just talk to ANY bank employee off the record. They were all pressured to call friends, neighbors, relatives, whomever, and push loans and credit cards saying that they noticed we had a new car in the driveway and construction going on at the house, etc. ....asking nosy personal finance questions that were none of their business.....and pushing obtaining a loan/refinance/credit card from their bank.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Political Posts, Religion and Emails
Everybody wants to share via social media and email THEIR beliefs. It's about as effective as going door-to-door proselytizing and just annoys people and anchors them even more in the beliefs you think you are attempting to liberate them from....because...after all.....YOU think YOU are RIGHT so get in the face of strangers! Wow! Great strategy.
"My world viewpoint was totally changed and I was magically enlightened and SAVED from a political rant on Facebook," said Nobody. Ever.
It's polarized out there, people. I do have a challenge for you because in the big scheme of things BOTH sides have points that deserve merit. Find one thing about the opposite political camp that has credibility. It's there if you choose to open up your prejudiced eyes -- and that goes especially for the liberals.
"My world viewpoint was totally changed and I was magically enlightened and SAVED from a political rant on Facebook," said Nobody. Ever.
It's polarized out there, people. I do have a challenge for you because in the big scheme of things BOTH sides have points that deserve merit. Find one thing about the opposite political camp that has credibility. It's there if you choose to open up your prejudiced eyes -- and that goes especially for the liberals.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Netherlands
I have not written much about my time in Europe this summer other than knowing terrorist shit was going to go down in France on Bastille Day and in Normandy. I've been too busy moving my daughter to Hawaii, fighting the axis of evil, and fending off psychos who want to blame me for whatever it is that is wrong in their lives. Exhausting.
On the upside, after my return from France have you all heard about any terrorist attacks? Nope. Coincidence? I'll let you decide.
On a more serious note.....
My great-great-great-(take a deep breath and count back 17 generations) grandfather was William of Orange a.k.a. William the Silent. Most Americans have no clue who he was. The five-words-or-less-version is that he was the George Washington of the Dutch. He led the revolt against the Catholic Spanish as he was a Protestant rebel. Needless to say, he had a lot of enemies. Granted, I'm one of probably thousands of nameless descendants of his as he was a whore with many wives and many lovers. However, I feel he has unfinished business on the earth plane and I am a vessel of his energy.
Before the trip to Europe I was thinking about William of Orange during my dull and boring daily routine and wondering if he had any clue how far his seed traveled. Think about it. He had *no* clue that one night of ****** would eventually end up with me (his seed) in a continent across the ocean in a place called California that did not even really exist in their knowledge at the time. As I was thinking about this I was walking in a parking lot in Petaluma. I just happened to looked down, and there was a beautiful purple flower (my favorite color) just there. It was so pretty and so perfect and just lying there in the parking lot. I had a thought. I was going to bring this back to William of Orange's grave as a gesture of my existence and also as a gesture of how far his seed traveled and that his spirit still lives on. I was going full circle.
So, in my purse the flower goes and off I go to make the trek to the Netherlands.
I was on a mission. I was going to visit William of Orange's grave and bring him the flower I found in the Petaluma parking lot. Upon getting to Brussels, which was our first stop after we landed in Europe, things got hectic and I found myself shuttled on a bus and transported off to Bruges. Then we were shuttled off to some other obscure Belgium/Dutch towns that are now a blur at this point. All I knew was that I needed to get to Delft, which is the Dutch town where William of Orange is buried. We seemed to be everywhere but.
...and then.... On a God-awful early morning bus ride from some town in Belgium en route to Amsterdam, the driver came on the public address system half way through the ride and made an announcement that we were going to have a stop over in Delft. WTF????? REALLY?????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? DON'T TEASE ME LIKE THIS!!!
It was no joke. We made the stop. We only had like 45 minutes to check things out. As fate would have it there happened to be a local historian on the bus with us. He was a Dutch man and was curious as to my interest in Delft and William of Orange as most Americans were totally clueless. The bus was coming to the stop in Delft. When I gave him the five-words-or-less story of my family, how they came to New Amsterdam after the murder of William of Orange, and my flower-mission he practically grabbed my by the hand and said we did not have a minute to loose. He knew of the exact place where William of Orange was assassinated complete with the bullet holes still in the wall and was determined that I visit it. However, we needed to practically run though the town square and around some other places to get to it.
run, run, run, run...whew. We make it there. However, now it's a museum and there is an entrance fee. Huh???? WHAT??? DENIED!!!! We all left our wallets and purses on the bus. BUMMER. We thought that was it and would have to go back to the bus. But for whatever reason, the guy at the ticket door must have seen the looks on our faces and let us in anyway.
This place was like a maze. Staircases. Hallways. Rooms. My Dutch guide was frustrated as well as he wanted to show me the bullet holes at the assassination site and even he was at a loss as where to find the spot and was remiss at remembering how to navigate the maze to get there.
...and then....as fate would have it.... he found it. We did not have much time. I quickly snapped some pictures of the assassination site and other objects of interest. We also made it to the church where he is buried and I was able to pay my respects and left the purple flower that I brought from Petaluma. It was time to head back to the bus and we were already pushing it time wise. Again, he practically grabbed my hand and we all ran back to the bus.
Whew. We made it. Onto Amsterdam.
It was only a day or so later when I was scrolling though my iPhone the photos of that day when I noticed the date of the assassination of William of Orange on a plaque where the bullet holes still remain. July 10. The day the Dutch historian from the bus grabbed me by the hand and took me there? July 10. I happened to unknowingly be there on the anniversary of the death of William of Orange standing in the EXACT same spot with my hand on the bullet holes and staircase where he fell on the EXACT day of his death. What are the odds of that? 365 to 1.
I can't make this stuff up, people.
Above: My dad looks like him. You would think that the genetics would be so watered down that any resemblance would be gone. Not quite.
Above: The bullet holes in the wall at the assassination site are still there. He was the first head of state to be killed by a fire arm (or so said my Dutch local historian friend)
Where William of Orange is entombed at the Nieuwe Kerk (new church) in Delft where I tossed my purple flower I brought from Petaluma over the velvet ropes to him.
On the upside, after my return from France have you all heard about any terrorist attacks? Nope. Coincidence? I'll let you decide.
On a more serious note.....
My great-great-great-(take a deep breath and count back 17 generations) grandfather was William of Orange a.k.a. William the Silent. Most Americans have no clue who he was. The five-words-or-less-version is that he was the George Washington of the Dutch. He led the revolt against the Catholic Spanish as he was a Protestant rebel. Needless to say, he had a lot of enemies. Granted, I'm one of probably thousands of nameless descendants of his as he was a whore with many wives and many lovers. However, I feel he has unfinished business on the earth plane and I am a vessel of his energy.
Before the trip to Europe I was thinking about William of Orange during my dull and boring daily routine and wondering if he had any clue how far his seed traveled. Think about it. He had *no* clue that one night of ****** would eventually end up with me (his seed) in a continent across the ocean in a place called California that did not even really exist in their knowledge at the time. As I was thinking about this I was walking in a parking lot in Petaluma. I just happened to looked down, and there was a beautiful purple flower (my favorite color) just there. It was so pretty and so perfect and just lying there in the parking lot. I had a thought. I was going to bring this back to William of Orange's grave as a gesture of my existence and also as a gesture of how far his seed traveled and that his spirit still lives on. I was going full circle.
So, in my purse the flower goes and off I go to make the trek to the Netherlands.
I was on a mission. I was going to visit William of Orange's grave and bring him the flower I found in the Petaluma parking lot. Upon getting to Brussels, which was our first stop after we landed in Europe, things got hectic and I found myself shuttled on a bus and transported off to Bruges. Then we were shuttled off to some other obscure Belgium/Dutch towns that are now a blur at this point. All I knew was that I needed to get to Delft, which is the Dutch town where William of Orange is buried. We seemed to be everywhere but.
...and then.... On a God-awful early morning bus ride from some town in Belgium en route to Amsterdam, the driver came on the public address system half way through the ride and made an announcement that we were going to have a stop over in Delft. WTF????? REALLY?????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? DON'T TEASE ME LIKE THIS!!!
It was no joke. We made the stop. We only had like 45 minutes to check things out. As fate would have it there happened to be a local historian on the bus with us. He was a Dutch man and was curious as to my interest in Delft and William of Orange as most Americans were totally clueless. The bus was coming to the stop in Delft. When I gave him the five-words-or-less story of my family, how they came to New Amsterdam after the murder of William of Orange, and my flower-mission he practically grabbed my by the hand and said we did not have a minute to loose. He knew of the exact place where William of Orange was assassinated complete with the bullet holes still in the wall and was determined that I visit it. However, we needed to practically run though the town square and around some other places to get to it.
run, run, run, run...whew. We make it there. However, now it's a museum and there is an entrance fee. Huh???? WHAT??? DENIED!!!! We all left our wallets and purses on the bus. BUMMER. We thought that was it and would have to go back to the bus. But for whatever reason, the guy at the ticket door must have seen the looks on our faces and let us in anyway.
This place was like a maze. Staircases. Hallways. Rooms. My Dutch guide was frustrated as well as he wanted to show me the bullet holes at the assassination site and even he was at a loss as where to find the spot and was remiss at remembering how to navigate the maze to get there.
...and then....as fate would have it.... he found it. We did not have much time. I quickly snapped some pictures of the assassination site and other objects of interest. We also made it to the church where he is buried and I was able to pay my respects and left the purple flower that I brought from Petaluma. It was time to head back to the bus and we were already pushing it time wise. Again, he practically grabbed my hand and we all ran back to the bus.
Whew. We made it. Onto Amsterdam.
It was only a day or so later when I was scrolling though my iPhone the photos of that day when I noticed the date of the assassination of William of Orange on a plaque where the bullet holes still remain. July 10. The day the Dutch historian from the bus grabbed me by the hand and took me there? July 10. I happened to unknowingly be there on the anniversary of the death of William of Orange standing in the EXACT same spot with my hand on the bullet holes and staircase where he fell on the EXACT day of his death. What are the odds of that? 365 to 1.
I can't make this stuff up, people.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Men All Pause - Menopause
I love this song. It reminds me of clubbing with SSP back in the day when we would go out at night to the dance clubs -- prior marriage and kids. Ahhhhhhhh... the good old days.
I so remember hitting the dance floor when this song came on back in the 80's. We loved it. We were the HOT SHIT, baby (or so we thought). Yes, the men all paused when we entered the room. Now the menopause.
I so remember hitting the dance floor when this song came on back in the 80's. We loved it. We were the HOT SHIT, baby (or so we thought). Yes, the men all paused when we entered the room. Now the menopause.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Final Presidential Debate
It's like a car accident on the freeway. You just can't look away, and you can't "unsee" what you just witnessed.
I'm certain our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves to see what a childish circus the country they built has come to. Shame on the candidates. One interrupts the other inserting the word "wrong" without hearing the entire sentence and back-talks the moderator. Did basic, civilized debate skills surpass this candidate? I guess not. I'm suspect to the constant sniffing during the debate as well. What's he snorting?
The other candidate is not without fault. The shenanigans played with the Clinton Foundation deserves scrutiny along with other good-ole-boy antics that have contributed to the Capitol Hill corruption people are SICK of. Why does she keep looking down during the debates? What's she reading? I can just see some staffer typing away behind the curtain telling her how to respond to the questions. Femmebot. Bought and sold all the way.
The only thing I know for certain is that Russia is behind the email hacks. Seventeen intel sources have come forth to confirm that. There are many more behind the scenes that have not come forth (yet). I can say this with the utmost certainty and that the Kremlin is up to no good. Again, WHERE IS SNOWDEN????? OHHHHHH RUSSIA. Coincidence? I think not.
Think about THAT when casting your vote whether you love or hate either candidate.
I'm certain our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves to see what a childish circus the country they built has come to. Shame on the candidates. One interrupts the other inserting the word "wrong" without hearing the entire sentence and back-talks the moderator. Did basic, civilized debate skills surpass this candidate? I guess not. I'm suspect to the constant sniffing during the debate as well. What's he snorting?
The other candidate is not without fault. The shenanigans played with the Clinton Foundation deserves scrutiny along with other good-ole-boy antics that have contributed to the Capitol Hill corruption people are SICK of. Why does she keep looking down during the debates? What's she reading? I can just see some staffer typing away behind the curtain telling her how to respond to the questions. Femmebot. Bought and sold all the way.
The only thing I know for certain is that Russia is behind the email hacks. Seventeen intel sources have come forth to confirm that. There are many more behind the scenes that have not come forth (yet). I can say this with the utmost certainty and that the Kremlin is up to no good. Again, WHERE IS SNOWDEN????? OHHHHHH RUSSIA. Coincidence? I think not.
Think about THAT when casting your vote whether you love or hate either candidate.
Friday, October 14, 2016
The Accountant
Ohhhhhh aaaaaaaaaahhh.. have you seen the movie trailers about the uber exciting action film titled "The Accountant"?
WTF????
I hate to break it to you all, but the image you have in your head of geeky, glasses-wearing, pencil neck, wimpy, boring dorks is a stereotype that is finally being addressed.
I don't know anything about the movie, but I can guess the plot. The accountant knows the money trail and how it's being embezzled and/or laundered. The jig is up and now they're after him because he knows too much about the internal operations and could blow the whistle.
Welcome to my world.
The most dangerous occupation rating right up there with military duty in a war zone is being a forensic accountant. You would not believe the money games I have seen being played. I lost my administrative duties to one entity because I knew too much. I witnessed first hand public servants ripping off the system but yet they deem themselves holier-than-thou on camera. I've witnessed dead beat dads getting their wages and taxes garnished from their paychecks who pose as Father of the Year (to their newest wife's kids, that is). That's why I'm so cynical. You *really* don't know somebody until you know how they deal with their finances. Somehow, asking for a FICO score while dating is not acceptable. It's like asking for a clean STD report. It's important as all hell, but nobody wants to go there. Most people marry somebody who is financially clueless to their partner's real self which is ALWAYS discovered in how they handle money. By then it's too late.
WTF????
I hate to break it to you all, but the image you have in your head of geeky, glasses-wearing, pencil neck, wimpy, boring dorks is a stereotype that is finally being addressed.
I don't know anything about the movie, but I can guess the plot. The accountant knows the money trail and how it's being embezzled and/or laundered. The jig is up and now they're after him because he knows too much about the internal operations and could blow the whistle.
Welcome to my world.
The most dangerous occupation rating right up there with military duty in a war zone is being a forensic accountant. You would not believe the money games I have seen being played. I lost my administrative duties to one entity because I knew too much. I witnessed first hand public servants ripping off the system but yet they deem themselves holier-than-thou on camera. I've witnessed dead beat dads getting their wages and taxes garnished from their paychecks who pose as Father of the Year (to their newest wife's kids, that is). That's why I'm so cynical. You *really* don't know somebody until you know how they deal with their finances. Somehow, asking for a FICO score while dating is not acceptable. It's like asking for a clean STD report. It's important as all hell, but nobody wants to go there. Most people marry somebody who is financially clueless to their partner's real self which is ALWAYS discovered in how they handle money. By then it's too late.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
My Roots Are Showing
Yeah, they are.. my roots are showing.....and I mean more than my changing hair color as I approach the half-century mark. I'm talkin' about my *other* roots as in my white trash, country up-bringing. You will never meet a more genuine group of people who calls 'em likes they sees 'em.
My song for the day.
My song for the day.
Affordable Housing - Homeless
Everybody is talking about 'affordable housing.' What that means, exactly, I don't know. Politicians are clamoring all over themselves boasting they have the answers. They don't. Nobody can escape the economic law of supply and demand. Sonoma County is a desirable place to live; it's expensive. Unless you're willing to sell your home to the lowest offer below market value, you are part of the problem as well. Nobody sells for less, even uber democrats who demand socialist programs for all -- until they're called upon to cough up their monetary share. Nobody wants more housing in their neighborhood, either -- especially the most recent transplants to Sonoma. Believe me. The irony is not lost on me.
Relax, everybody, as I see another tech and housing bubble happening. Silicon Valley, once believed to be the mecca of anything that contained the word 'tech', is loosing its appeal. They don't have any affordable housing, either. Plus, their workforce is now entering an age where they want living conditions that don't mimic a college dorm/campus. Adding to the situation is that location is no longer relevant. Telecommuting and other advances of the internet deem the office cubicle or workstation obsolete. Where are they going? They are growing up and want to move out of the mommy and daddy House Google.
Which gets me back to Sonoma County. Yes, our prices are now at pre-recession highs. However, the median wages for most Sonoma County residents have not warranted such a price leap. Banks are back to their old tricks again in lending, and people making $25 an hour believe they can afford a $550,000 home. Not everybody works for Google....yet.
Which gets me to the homeless. It was pointed out to me from my son that San Francisco and San Diego have very similar problems in combating the ever-increasing tide of homelessness. San Francisco has the liberal approach, and San Diego has the conservative approach. Guess what. Neither approach works and homelessness is rampant. It's the underlying issue of the law of supply and demand. Nobody wants to look that hard, ugly fact in the face, especially politicians who pretend they can solve the problem.
Relax, everybody, as I see another tech and housing bubble happening. Silicon Valley, once believed to be the mecca of anything that contained the word 'tech', is loosing its appeal. They don't have any affordable housing, either. Plus, their workforce is now entering an age where they want living conditions that don't mimic a college dorm/campus. Adding to the situation is that location is no longer relevant. Telecommuting and other advances of the internet deem the office cubicle or workstation obsolete. Where are they going? They are growing up and want to move out of the mommy and daddy House Google.
Which gets me back to Sonoma County. Yes, our prices are now at pre-recession highs. However, the median wages for most Sonoma County residents have not warranted such a price leap. Banks are back to their old tricks again in lending, and people making $25 an hour believe they can afford a $550,000 home. Not everybody works for Google....yet.
Which gets me to the homeless. It was pointed out to me from my son that San Francisco and San Diego have very similar problems in combating the ever-increasing tide of homelessness. San Francisco has the liberal approach, and San Diego has the conservative approach. Guess what. Neither approach works and homelessness is rampant. It's the underlying issue of the law of supply and demand. Nobody wants to look that hard, ugly fact in the face, especially politicians who pretend they can solve the problem.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Washington DC - Running Scared
Let me be perfectly clear. I do not like he-who-shall-not-be-named as a presidential candidate. Being the media created only one male candidate to bolster their ratings with his circus-like antics, we all know who he is. Yes, he is a lying, misogynistic, racist, megalomaniac with serious delusional mental issues that are coupled with his extreme form of narcissism.
Let me be perfectly clear. I do not like the queen of corruption, either. The Clinton Foundation is rotten with dealings with the state department and other entities that benefit their own cronies. She stomped out Bernie Sanders. Her behavior is just as criminal (if not worse) but lacks the sexy, headline-grabbing scandals her opponent is accused of.
What's happening now is that Capitol Hill is running scared. Both democrats and republicans are fearful that if he-who-shall-not-be-named wins the election the party is over. Their way of life as they know it will cease to exist. Congress may have to actually think twice before they **** us over as they cater to the super PACS and voting themselves pay raises and obnoxious perks. Congress has an extremely low approval rating. Congress is out of touch. Congress does not give a flying #^%@ about anybody except themselves and obtaining more power and money.
That is why he-who-shall-not-be-named still has many Americans attention. It's just too bad that Congress would not listen to the people and that's how we got to this point. We tried. We wrote letters. We signed petitions. Congress ignored us and only cared if we donated big bucks. We got frustrated.
Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for the politicians. They did it to themselves. Unfortunately, it took somebody like he-who-shall-not-be-named to get Congress to pay attention.
Now the media is trying to put the genie back into the bottle with this monster they created. Good luck with that.
I will leave you with a parting thought. We all want to blame the government and "them" for what's wrong with our country and the world. I have some news for you. We are all part of the problem. Think about that every time you think the rules don't apply to you (running a red light, making up excuses for yourself and/or kids, trying to sneak into an event without paying, helping yourself to something that is not yours, screwing over a business associate to get that promotion, and generally trying to get something for nothing).
Let me be perfectly clear. I do not like the queen of corruption, either. The Clinton Foundation is rotten with dealings with the state department and other entities that benefit their own cronies. She stomped out Bernie Sanders. Her behavior is just as criminal (if not worse) but lacks the sexy, headline-grabbing scandals her opponent is accused of.
What's happening now is that Capitol Hill is running scared. Both democrats and republicans are fearful that if he-who-shall-not-be-named wins the election the party is over. Their way of life as they know it will cease to exist. Congress may have to actually think twice before they **** us over as they cater to the super PACS and voting themselves pay raises and obnoxious perks. Congress has an extremely low approval rating. Congress is out of touch. Congress does not give a flying #^%@ about anybody except themselves and obtaining more power and money.
That is why he-who-shall-not-be-named still has many Americans attention. It's just too bad that Congress would not listen to the people and that's how we got to this point. We tried. We wrote letters. We signed petitions. Congress ignored us and only cared if we donated big bucks. We got frustrated.
Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for the politicians. They did it to themselves. Unfortunately, it took somebody like he-who-shall-not-be-named to get Congress to pay attention.
Now the media is trying to put the genie back into the bottle with this monster they created. Good luck with that.
I will leave you with a parting thought. We all want to blame the government and "them" for what's wrong with our country and the world. I have some news for you. We are all part of the problem. Think about that every time you think the rules don't apply to you (running a red light, making up excuses for yourself and/or kids, trying to sneak into an event without paying, helping yourself to something that is not yours, screwing over a business associate to get that promotion, and generally trying to get something for nothing).
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Five and Dime Attorneys
Oh GAWWWWWD. How am I to even go on about today? I work in employer/employee relations and I'm in a niche that most shit-house attorneys have no clue.
I've been at this game going on 30 years. Every favor I've done trying to 'help' an employee out comes back and bites me in the ass. No good deed goes unpunished.
I won't bore you with the background of the individual who has been fired from countless employers, returned for training (which he failed) and subsequently sent to an employer on a lesser tier and wage/benefit scale knowing his purported professional skill set was lacking - also including his anger management issues. We've tried to help him and keep him employed. He is his own worst enemy.
Lo and behold he was terminated from employment for cause (yawn, AGAIN and I might add he is the all-time record holder of terminations in our industry for cause). He has even been caught on surveillance video doing his nasty deed of compromising safety and stealing. When confronted??? Nope. Not him. It's his evil twin brother.
Where I'm going with this is that I'm an extremely busy person. I'm readying myself for a work trip to Boston and I don't have time for people with a rap sheet that exceeds over a decade of him being a confrontational, lying idiot who keeps getting himself fired. That last thing I needed today was to make time for a hearing to deal with this asswipe.
I'll admit. I was already in a mood when I arrived for the hearing. However, I was keeping myself in check.
When I arrived there were three people in the hallway. One was the man who we needed to appear before us. Our role, as is well described in our employer/employee agreement, was to have all sides tell their story and have a jointly approved, qualified, neutral third party render the final outcome. It's kind of an arbitration hearing, if you will.
The hearing panel is in place and we are set deal with this. Everything is according to protocol. When we call in the fired guy, let's just call him Mr. Fire because he not only CAUSES fires on the job site, he also gets fired repeatedly, there are two women who want to follow him into this private hearing with one woman flashing a card touting herself as an attorney and the other one as the wife of Mr. Fire.
Oh no. Homey don't play that game. This is a labor-management meeting in accordance to the collective bargaining agreement in which Mr. Fire is rightfully being represented by his union representative, myself as management, and the neutral member of the appeals committee (a.k.a. arbitrator). There are no attorneys. No wives. No audience. No attorneys.
Now I'm the senior member of this committee. The union representative is new. Mr. Fire is trying to bully his own newly positioned union rep who is there trying to help him if anything. Mr. Fire is not giving the union rep anything to defend and keeps on incriminating himself. I've known Mr. Fire's track record since 1999. Bring it on. The union rep was flustered that Mr. Fire wanted to bring in his wife and a so-called attorney into the hearing. This was the union rep's first hearing of this sort. I was more than glad to help the union rep out as even THEY think Mr. Fire is a total f*** up and think he's poison.
It's so obvious that Mr. Fire is trying to snag his union in a 'failure to represent' that I can smell it from across the ocean. Nothing could be further from the truth. His union (myself included) have bent over backwards offering Mr. Fire more training and whatever else he needs to qualify himself. Mr. Fire is just another asshole trying to play lawsuit lottery with everybody. He's one of thousands. If you're going to bring this lawshit lottery game to me, you better do your homework.
I stood in front of the doorway with my arm across the entrance and invited Mr. Fire in. Both women in the hallway immediately got in my face demanding entrance. The wife started in with me trying to engage in a debate to which I quickly retorted that I was not speaking to her - only to Mr. Fire. It was a watered down way of saying STFU, betch, before I slap you.
Then the other woman stepped toward me and asked me 'what authroity do you have over this meeting, and why am I denying him legal representation.'
Excuse me?????? What authority do I have????? A lot. Mr. Fire does have legal representation through his union, to which his representative is present. This newly-minted attorney has no clue to collective bargaining and the disciplinary process. However, I was not going to engage in a meaningless argument in the hallway with either of them. I simply held my arm across the doorway and said that if Mr. Fire, and Mr. Fire ONLY, wants to come in for his hearing we are all present and ready. If not, then this meeting will not happen and we will consider it a 'no show' on his part and proceed without him.
Mr. Fire came in by himself. Moral of the story? do NOT mess with me unless you know for certain you have your facts straight and know what you're dealing with and..... don't try to intimidate me. Saying you're an attorney and getting in my face gets you nowhere. I generally loathe attorneys, anyway.
What a waste of an afternoon. NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been at this game going on 30 years. Every favor I've done trying to 'help' an employee out comes back and bites me in the ass. No good deed goes unpunished.
I won't bore you with the background of the individual who has been fired from countless employers, returned for training (which he failed) and subsequently sent to an employer on a lesser tier and wage/benefit scale knowing his purported professional skill set was lacking - also including his anger management issues. We've tried to help him and keep him employed. He is his own worst enemy.
Lo and behold he was terminated from employment for cause (yawn, AGAIN and I might add he is the all-time record holder of terminations in our industry for cause). He has even been caught on surveillance video doing his nasty deed of compromising safety and stealing. When confronted??? Nope. Not him. It's his evil twin brother.
Where I'm going with this is that I'm an extremely busy person. I'm readying myself for a work trip to Boston and I don't have time for people with a rap sheet that exceeds over a decade of him being a confrontational, lying idiot who keeps getting himself fired. That last thing I needed today was to make time for a hearing to deal with this asswipe.
I'll admit. I was already in a mood when I arrived for the hearing. However, I was keeping myself in check.
When I arrived there were three people in the hallway. One was the man who we needed to appear before us. Our role, as is well described in our employer/employee agreement, was to have all sides tell their story and have a jointly approved, qualified, neutral third party render the final outcome. It's kind of an arbitration hearing, if you will.
The hearing panel is in place and we are set deal with this. Everything is according to protocol. When we call in the fired guy, let's just call him Mr. Fire because he not only CAUSES fires on the job site, he also gets fired repeatedly, there are two women who want to follow him into this private hearing with one woman flashing a card touting herself as an attorney and the other one as the wife of Mr. Fire.
Oh no. Homey don't play that game. This is a labor-management meeting in accordance to the collective bargaining agreement in which Mr. Fire is rightfully being represented by his union representative, myself as management, and the neutral member of the appeals committee (a.k.a. arbitrator). There are no attorneys. No wives. No audience. No attorneys.
Now I'm the senior member of this committee. The union representative is new. Mr. Fire is trying to bully his own newly positioned union rep who is there trying to help him if anything. Mr. Fire is not giving the union rep anything to defend and keeps on incriminating himself. I've known Mr. Fire's track record since 1999. Bring it on. The union rep was flustered that Mr. Fire wanted to bring in his wife and a so-called attorney into the hearing. This was the union rep's first hearing of this sort. I was more than glad to help the union rep out as even THEY think Mr. Fire is a total f*** up and think he's poison.
It's so obvious that Mr. Fire is trying to snag his union in a 'failure to represent' that I can smell it from across the ocean. Nothing could be further from the truth. His union (myself included) have bent over backwards offering Mr. Fire more training and whatever else he needs to qualify himself. Mr. Fire is just another asshole trying to play lawsuit lottery with everybody. He's one of thousands. If you're going to bring this lawshit lottery game to me, you better do your homework.
I stood in front of the doorway with my arm across the entrance and invited Mr. Fire in. Both women in the hallway immediately got in my face demanding entrance. The wife started in with me trying to engage in a debate to which I quickly retorted that I was not speaking to her - only to Mr. Fire. It was a watered down way of saying STFU, betch, before I slap you.
Then the other woman stepped toward me and asked me 'what authroity do you have over this meeting, and why am I denying him legal representation.'
Excuse me?????? What authority do I have????? A lot. Mr. Fire does have legal representation through his union, to which his representative is present. This newly-minted attorney has no clue to collective bargaining and the disciplinary process. However, I was not going to engage in a meaningless argument in the hallway with either of them. I simply held my arm across the doorway and said that if Mr. Fire, and Mr. Fire ONLY, wants to come in for his hearing we are all present and ready. If not, then this meeting will not happen and we will consider it a 'no show' on his part and proceed without him.
Mr. Fire came in by himself. Moral of the story? do NOT mess with me unless you know for certain you have your facts straight and know what you're dealing with and..... don't try to intimidate me. Saying you're an attorney and getting in my face gets you nowhere. I generally loathe attorneys, anyway.
What a waste of an afternoon. NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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