We had a horrible train accident in Chatsworth, California last Friday. The passenger train Amtrak carrying folks from Los Angeles to Ventura county where I live collided with a freight train going the opposite direction. I know exactly where it happened. For 6 years from 1972 to 1978 I lived less than 25 ft from the track carrying those trains and perhaps a half mile from the crash location.
My apartment was so close to the track behind us that when the freight trains like the one involved in the accident went by, the china in my kitchen would rattle. When I lived in the area (I was 29 when I moved there), it was still a ranch area and we would walk beside the track to exercise. Just beyond the accident point is Chatsworth park. Friends from the apartment building and I spent many Saturdays and Sundays there, having picnics, adventures climbing the hills to paint our initials on the rocks, sing alongs and just good old times. The entire area is still home to me. My first independence was in Chatworth and the memories of the area are still vivid in my mind. I can see the entire landscape, even though it's been 30 years. From the reporters' comments and the pictures of the site, I know exactly where the accident happened.
There is only one track. Near the park, there is a 200 ft siding along the track. When trains are running in both directions, one gets the red light just before the park to transfer onto the siding to let the oncoming train pass. The siding is just before a wide curve which leads into a long tunnel going under the mountains into the next valley. Supposedly the engineer of the passenger train missed the red light and kept going only to meet the oncoming freight train just leaving Chatsworth park head on. The results were horrific. Many people died and even more are severly injured. There have been close calls on this track before. There is no visibility coming out of the tunnel onto to the curve and the train going west towards the park can't see if anything is coming out of the tunnel because of the curve.
Having lived in Chatsworth when it was still a very small community, I share the sadness the local residents must be feeling. I pray for the survivors and the family and friends who lost loved ones. I also pray that somehow, something will be learned from this tragic incident to improve the safety. Surely in this day of electronics, there should be some way for the trains to communicate if not with each other then a central location which can inform each engineer what's oncoming. At least there should be some way to cause the engineer to pay better attention to the warning light Maybe it will be better late than never and something good will be gained to protect future train riders.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Best Surprise In a Long Time
I have been a buyer for over 40 years. It's been a wonderful career, and I really couldn't have asked for a better one. The job I now have is for a super company and I will be celebrating my 5th anniversary in just a few weeks. The only drawback to this, has been my co-buyer whom I have mentioned a few times. From the very first day, she for some reason, decided not to like me, I have no reason why, except I believe she had someone else in mind for my position, but I was hired without consulting her. The way she treats (or doesn't treat) me, isn't much better with the rest of the company and she isn't friendly with too many co-workers either.
Over the years, I have pretty much ignored her snarky remarks, choosing instead to befriend co-workers in other departments. This has worked well for me (remember it was these friends who replaced my lost Ipod at Christmas).
Being one of the buyers means that it's my responsibility to purchase what our employees need to fulfil their jobs. Over the years (not just here at this company), I have always tried to provide a genial service to everyone, being as helpful as I can when they have a problem, or don't understand something. If I have a question regarding a buy, instead of returning the request, I call the person to ask for clarification and between us we get it fixed. My co-buyer doesn't do that and never has. Helpful is not her middle name, and never has been.
Now for my wonderful news. In January of this year, my company initiated a new employee reward program. Each month all the employees vote for the co-worker they feel offers the best they can not only to the company but to everyone. The reward is $500.00 and a plaque. On Thursday it was announced that I have received this great honor from my company's employees. I received the notice along with the rest of the employees in the E-mail issued to everyone. When I read it, I started to cry. What a wonderful tribute this is from my fellow co-workers. It affirms the service I have provided the past 5 years has been appreciated. People from all through the building sent me E-mails congratulating me, plus many came over personally to offer their hugs and congratulations as well as ask what I would do with the money. I told each one that it's not the money which is important but just knowing how people feel is the most treasured thing.
As grateful as I am for this honor, the best part is that my co-buyer was not happy one bit. She has not acknowledged this at all, never saying one word ot me, and I do believe I could see smoke rising from her cubicle all day. This alone makes the way she has treated me the past 5 years worth every day I have endured either the silence or the sarcastic remarks. I was the one chosen as the best buyer, not her. What a wonderful high!!!! I just can't ask for anything better. If there were no monitary reward, just having her see the plaque every day will be the most punishing to her. I know this is not what this is supposed to stand for but for now, I accept this honor with the conditions that for a while, this has given me a chance to just rub her face in my glory, and repay her for all the crap sdhe has put me through.
Tomorrow, I will go back to just being another buyer, but nothing will ever be the same again. Both of us know that something happened last week to change not only me but the way everyone looks at our purchasing department. Will it rub off on her?? I doubt it. She is what she is. Will it put a chip on my shoulder? I doubt that too, but what may change is the way I react the next time she issues one of her famous sarcastic remarks in my direction. Only time will tell, but for now, I will bathe in the light of receiving this wonderful surprise.
Over the years, I have pretty much ignored her snarky remarks, choosing instead to befriend co-workers in other departments. This has worked well for me (remember it was these friends who replaced my lost Ipod at Christmas).
Being one of the buyers means that it's my responsibility to purchase what our employees need to fulfil their jobs. Over the years (not just here at this company), I have always tried to provide a genial service to everyone, being as helpful as I can when they have a problem, or don't understand something. If I have a question regarding a buy, instead of returning the request, I call the person to ask for clarification and between us we get it fixed. My co-buyer doesn't do that and never has. Helpful is not her middle name, and never has been.
Now for my wonderful news. In January of this year, my company initiated a new employee reward program. Each month all the employees vote for the co-worker they feel offers the best they can not only to the company but to everyone. The reward is $500.00 and a plaque. On Thursday it was announced that I have received this great honor from my company's employees. I received the notice along with the rest of the employees in the E-mail issued to everyone. When I read it, I started to cry. What a wonderful tribute this is from my fellow co-workers. It affirms the service I have provided the past 5 years has been appreciated. People from all through the building sent me E-mails congratulating me, plus many came over personally to offer their hugs and congratulations as well as ask what I would do with the money. I told each one that it's not the money which is important but just knowing how people feel is the most treasured thing.
As grateful as I am for this honor, the best part is that my co-buyer was not happy one bit. She has not acknowledged this at all, never saying one word ot me, and I do believe I could see smoke rising from her cubicle all day. This alone makes the way she has treated me the past 5 years worth every day I have endured either the silence or the sarcastic remarks. I was the one chosen as the best buyer, not her. What a wonderful high!!!! I just can't ask for anything better. If there were no monitary reward, just having her see the plaque every day will be the most punishing to her. I know this is not what this is supposed to stand for but for now, I accept this honor with the conditions that for a while, this has given me a chance to just rub her face in my glory, and repay her for all the crap sdhe has put me through.
Tomorrow, I will go back to just being another buyer, but nothing will ever be the same again. Both of us know that something happened last week to change not only me but the way everyone looks at our purchasing department. Will it rub off on her?? I doubt it. She is what she is. Will it put a chip on my shoulder? I doubt that too, but what may change is the way I react the next time she issues one of her famous sarcastic remarks in my direction. Only time will tell, but for now, I will bathe in the light of receiving this wonderful surprise.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Happy Birthday to Canada and Me
So here it is July 1 and both Canada and I are having another birthday. Fortunately I am a lot younger than Canada but still not a kid any longer, and to be honest, I can't believe I am 65 years old today. I have almost convinced myself that my parents lied about my age and I must be younger, but alas, it's true that I have reached the age which I have always considered old.
We had a company lunch today in honor of new successful products and our president took the opportunity to have everyone sing happy birthday to me which was wonderful.
My Canadian flag is hanging in front of my house as it always does on this day and tomorrow I will change it for the American Flag in celebration of July 4th.
So all in all, it's been another great birthday. I look forward to the next when I will actually be able to retire. Happy Birthday Canada. It's been great sharing this special day for the past 65 years and hope we have many more together.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Where Have The Years Gone
I keep hearing that the older one gets, the worse the memory gets but this week for me it's absoutely not so.
In 1968 I was 25 years old and starting a new job. I remember distinctly that while I was filling out the new employment papers they said I would be eligible at 65 years of age for social security in the year 2008. To my 25 year old mind, 40 years seems so far away and I made a groaning noise and commented how long I would have to continue working before I would be able to retire. One of the other buyers, a woman named Althea was 63 years old and when I made that comment, she reached over the lunchroom table, took my hand, looked me straight in the eye and told me to appreciate the next 40 years, and savor each moment, because they would go past before I could blink more than a few times. She also told me that being forced to retire in two years (this particular company had a manditory 65 year age limit, something legal then) was not something she was looking forward to. I also stupidly remember thinking that she was nuts to want to continue working when she could retire and let the Government support her.
This week, I suddenly remembered every single word of that conversation 40 years ago. I also remember looking back at her 63 year old blue eyes with my extremely arrogant 25 year old green eyes thinking she was an old fogie who obviously somewhere down the line had lost it if she actually thought 40 years could flash quickly by.
Althea passed away in 1979 and I was lucky enough to attend her funeral. By then I was the ripe old age of 36. I have to admit that I was not quite so arrogent at 36 as I was at 25. I still had 29 years to 2008 and I was still not thinking that far ahead. All I could think was that Althea had only 11 years of retirement. It didn't occur to me that they were tough years for her financially. Being forced or retire after being a buyer in an office for so many years, she had to work as a clerk in a drug store, standing on her feet all day because no company would hire a 65 year old. I wish now, I could put my arms around her and tell her how brave she was and how much I now admire her.
You are probably wondering what triggered this long buried memory. On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, I will hit that horribly magical age of 65., which 40 years ago seemed so distant. Of course, Althea was right on the mark. The years have gone by so fast, I have hardly had time to blink more than a few times. I now know that social security is not that richest amount of money I thought it was all those years ago. Also, since then, the laws have changed and now I must work aother year to be eligible. Unlike Althea, I am looking forward to retirement. I have been a buyer for the past 42 years. It has been a wonderful career, but I am ready to pass the torch to some younger buyer who thinks 40 years is a very very long way off. Unfortunately, once I retire, I will no longer be able to remain in California where housing is expensive. My house payment is only $500.00 less than my social security, and one cannot live on $500.00 alone. Fortunately, I have some money put away in my 401K and very close friends who live in Iowa, where I will be able to live a very comfortable life, and not have to work in a drug store, standing on my feet all day.
So here's to all who will b eligible for retirement in the very near future. Those who want to continue working past 65 can now do so, but even though I could continue past next July, it's almost time for me to rest my now 65 year old weary green eyes and switch them from staring at a computer screen all day to black and white pages in good books, which have been waiting a long time to be read. I look forward to retirement, but also mourn the passing of the the many years, and regret that I didn't take Althea's suggestion to savor each and every moment. Fortunately for me, my mind has allowed me to return to that lunch room 40 years ago to give thanks to Althea who turned out to be a very wise woman after all.
In 1968 I was 25 years old and starting a new job. I remember distinctly that while I was filling out the new employment papers they said I would be eligible at 65 years of age for social security in the year 2008. To my 25 year old mind, 40 years seems so far away and I made a groaning noise and commented how long I would have to continue working before I would be able to retire. One of the other buyers, a woman named Althea was 63 years old and when I made that comment, she reached over the lunchroom table, took my hand, looked me straight in the eye and told me to appreciate the next 40 years, and savor each moment, because they would go past before I could blink more than a few times. She also told me that being forced to retire in two years (this particular company had a manditory 65 year age limit, something legal then) was not something she was looking forward to. I also stupidly remember thinking that she was nuts to want to continue working when she could retire and let the Government support her.
This week, I suddenly remembered every single word of that conversation 40 years ago. I also remember looking back at her 63 year old blue eyes with my extremely arrogant 25 year old green eyes thinking she was an old fogie who obviously somewhere down the line had lost it if she actually thought 40 years could flash quickly by.
Althea passed away in 1979 and I was lucky enough to attend her funeral. By then I was the ripe old age of 36. I have to admit that I was not quite so arrogent at 36 as I was at 25. I still had 29 years to 2008 and I was still not thinking that far ahead. All I could think was that Althea had only 11 years of retirement. It didn't occur to me that they were tough years for her financially. Being forced or retire after being a buyer in an office for so many years, she had to work as a clerk in a drug store, standing on her feet all day because no company would hire a 65 year old. I wish now, I could put my arms around her and tell her how brave she was and how much I now admire her.
You are probably wondering what triggered this long buried memory. On Tuesday, July 1, 2008, I will hit that horribly magical age of 65., which 40 years ago seemed so distant. Of course, Althea was right on the mark. The years have gone by so fast, I have hardly had time to blink more than a few times. I now know that social security is not that richest amount of money I thought it was all those years ago. Also, since then, the laws have changed and now I must work aother year to be eligible. Unlike Althea, I am looking forward to retirement. I have been a buyer for the past 42 years. It has been a wonderful career, but I am ready to pass the torch to some younger buyer who thinks 40 years is a very very long way off. Unfortunately, once I retire, I will no longer be able to remain in California where housing is expensive. My house payment is only $500.00 less than my social security, and one cannot live on $500.00 alone. Fortunately, I have some money put away in my 401K and very close friends who live in Iowa, where I will be able to live a very comfortable life, and not have to work in a drug store, standing on my feet all day.
So here's to all who will b eligible for retirement in the very near future. Those who want to continue working past 65 can now do so, but even though I could continue past next July, it's almost time for me to rest my now 65 year old weary green eyes and switch them from staring at a computer screen all day to black and white pages in good books, which have been waiting a long time to be read. I look forward to retirement, but also mourn the passing of the the many years, and regret that I didn't take Althea's suggestion to savor each and every moment. Fortunately for me, my mind has allowed me to return to that lunch room 40 years ago to give thanks to Althea who turned out to be a very wise woman after all.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Changes all around
I have been in a very deep blue funk for the past 2 months, and haven't even had the urge not only to write in my blog but to even open mine or others. All around me there have been changes from my home to my job to the Moose and small changes in between.
I will start with my job. The company hired a new Vice President to replace my mentor, and the differences are night and day. Whereas "S" gave everyone free reign to do our jobs, trusting in his hiring faith, "R" doesn't trust anyone, and micro manages EVERYTHING. It's not as tough on us lowly buyers as it is on the managers but you know how crap filters down, and the reports we are required to do so that the managers can make their reports, fill the days. It makes time go by very fast, I must admit, but the feeling of mistrust is everywhere, and it's not a very comfortable feeling knowing the questions of why things were done can appear at any second. One of the casualties is internet time. I know I can still use my lunch hour to blog, but I just haven't felt the urge lately. Hopefully the urge will return and I have promised myself to try to blog at least once a month.
On top of this, there are 4 of us buyers. I have written about the one who doesn't like me before, but I haven't written about the one I not only get along with, but also commute with three times a week. It's been nice the past 6 months having someone talking to me in something other than a sarcastic manner. This week she gave notice that she will be leaving the company and I am heartbroken. It's a better opportunity for her where her work won't be challenged constantly, and much closer to home, which will save her gas money, but I will miss her terribly, not to mention I will again be spending $70.00 a week on gasoline - UGH.
At home, things are better. I wrote in March that the gentleman who had been rening a room, passed away. He was 81 so it wasn't unexpected. His passing has given me the chance to discard stuff which has been collecting for a very long time. I have been sorting things to move to Iowa when I retire and things I really don't want to move. Goodwill has been the beneficiary of bags and bags of clothes. Having to discard "C's" clothes made me pay more attention to mine and what I no longer wear, and so far 5 huge bags of clothes have been donated. I have also discarded papers I no longer need plus old pills, lotions and stuff like that and will continue to sort and toss. Someone once said that if you don't use something for a couple of year then toss it. I have more than enough stuff to toss in that case. I also moved the treadmill into the family room. I realize that in order to continue to lose weight, I must exercise so each night when I get home, I try to do at least a half hour of walking while watching T.V. Hopefully the last 40 lbs will disappear.
As far as the Moose goes, unfortunately, the funerals continue and we have lost three more very good friends. I have come to accept the fact that because of the Moose, I know a lot of people. Unfortunately, it's very hard to lose these friends, but I also realize that we are aging and this is part of life. All we can do is show our love and respect for those who have passed, and remember them with fond memories and a lot of smiles and a few tears.
We also have new officers at our Moose Family Center, and since I am hoping to leave in the next year or so, I have decided to spend less time as an advisor, giving others who will need to fill my place time to establish their own credentials. The Chapter must trust the word of these women, but if they are not given the chance to help the Chapter grow while I am still here, there could be resentment once I leave which would be wrong not only for these women but mostly for the Chapter. Spending less time at the Moose has been tough but fortunately I am using the time to work around the house, so in the end I truly believe both the Moose and house will benefit.
As I said, there have been changes all around. I have been having my nails done every two weeks for the past 15 years by the same woman. Last week when I walked into the shop, I was told that she had unexpectedly sold the shop (not because of health ) and I must admit, I was not pleased with the work done by the new owner. I have an appointment Tuesday, and will give him another try because I realize every new person should have an opportunity to prove himself. If I am still not happy, I will search for a shop closer to home and hope I have the same luck I had 15 years ago.
So here I am, trying to get my changing life in some sort of balance. What will happen at work is anyone's guess. I son't want to leave the company, having such a short time left to work. My 5th anniversary will be in August and with it comes an extra week's vacation, so I will hunker down and hope the buyer hired will also be a new friend.
So here I am, trying to catch up. I hope everything is well with our blog friends. Unfortunately I haven't checked on anyone's blog the past couple of months. I will try to be a better blog friend and after walking on the treadmill hope to fire up my home computer and pay you all visits more often. In the mean time, keep well and know you are all in my thoughts, even if you don't hear from me.
I will start with my job. The company hired a new Vice President to replace my mentor, and the differences are night and day. Whereas "S" gave everyone free reign to do our jobs, trusting in his hiring faith, "R" doesn't trust anyone, and micro manages EVERYTHING. It's not as tough on us lowly buyers as it is on the managers but you know how crap filters down, and the reports we are required to do so that the managers can make their reports, fill the days. It makes time go by very fast, I must admit, but the feeling of mistrust is everywhere, and it's not a very comfortable feeling knowing the questions of why things were done can appear at any second. One of the casualties is internet time. I know I can still use my lunch hour to blog, but I just haven't felt the urge lately. Hopefully the urge will return and I have promised myself to try to blog at least once a month.
On top of this, there are 4 of us buyers. I have written about the one who doesn't like me before, but I haven't written about the one I not only get along with, but also commute with three times a week. It's been nice the past 6 months having someone talking to me in something other than a sarcastic manner. This week she gave notice that she will be leaving the company and I am heartbroken. It's a better opportunity for her where her work won't be challenged constantly, and much closer to home, which will save her gas money, but I will miss her terribly, not to mention I will again be spending $70.00 a week on gasoline - UGH.
At home, things are better. I wrote in March that the gentleman who had been rening a room, passed away. He was 81 so it wasn't unexpected. His passing has given me the chance to discard stuff which has been collecting for a very long time. I have been sorting things to move to Iowa when I retire and things I really don't want to move. Goodwill has been the beneficiary of bags and bags of clothes. Having to discard "C's" clothes made me pay more attention to mine and what I no longer wear, and so far 5 huge bags of clothes have been donated. I have also discarded papers I no longer need plus old pills, lotions and stuff like that and will continue to sort and toss. Someone once said that if you don't use something for a couple of year then toss it. I have more than enough stuff to toss in that case. I also moved the treadmill into the family room. I realize that in order to continue to lose weight, I must exercise so each night when I get home, I try to do at least a half hour of walking while watching T.V. Hopefully the last 40 lbs will disappear.
As far as the Moose goes, unfortunately, the funerals continue and we have lost three more very good friends. I have come to accept the fact that because of the Moose, I know a lot of people. Unfortunately, it's very hard to lose these friends, but I also realize that we are aging and this is part of life. All we can do is show our love and respect for those who have passed, and remember them with fond memories and a lot of smiles and a few tears.
We also have new officers at our Moose Family Center, and since I am hoping to leave in the next year or so, I have decided to spend less time as an advisor, giving others who will need to fill my place time to establish their own credentials. The Chapter must trust the word of these women, but if they are not given the chance to help the Chapter grow while I am still here, there could be resentment once I leave which would be wrong not only for these women but mostly for the Chapter. Spending less time at the Moose has been tough but fortunately I am using the time to work around the house, so in the end I truly believe both the Moose and house will benefit.
As I said, there have been changes all around. I have been having my nails done every two weeks for the past 15 years by the same woman. Last week when I walked into the shop, I was told that she had unexpectedly sold the shop (not because of health ) and I must admit, I was not pleased with the work done by the new owner. I have an appointment Tuesday, and will give him another try because I realize every new person should have an opportunity to prove himself. If I am still not happy, I will search for a shop closer to home and hope I have the same luck I had 15 years ago.
So here I am, trying to get my changing life in some sort of balance. What will happen at work is anyone's guess. I son't want to leave the company, having such a short time left to work. My 5th anniversary will be in August and with it comes an extra week's vacation, so I will hunker down and hope the buyer hired will also be a new friend.
So here I am, trying to catch up. I hope everything is well with our blog friends. Unfortunately I haven't checked on anyone's blog the past couple of months. I will try to be a better blog friend and after walking on the treadmill hope to fire up my home computer and pay you all visits more often. In the mean time, keep well and know you are all in my thoughts, even if you don't hear from me.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
More Sadness to bear
In Victorian times, strangers would be hired to attend funerals if the family felt there would not be enough mourners to impress other people. I am beginning to feel like one of those professional mourners.
Since my brother passed away December 1st, I have attended 4 funerals. First my brother's, then the two past Governors of our Moose family center. on March 20th someone very close to me passed away at the age of 81. He was the husband of a very close friend who passed away in 1993. I promised her on her deathbed that I would make sure "C" always had a place to live and for the past 15 years, he had a room wherever I lived. "C" was not in the best of health the past 5 years. He had spent too many years smoking and his lungs were in bad shape. He was having trouble adapting to this weakened state plus the loss of dignity in having to use a walker and I think he finally decided that this way of living, was just not worth it. He was taken to the hospital but refused any treatment, and within a few hours he passed away. His memorial service was at our Moose Family Center last Saturday.
This weekend, one of my co-workers passed away. "S" and I had worked at another company for 8 years before this company, and we had an excellent working relationship. He was not a well man, but still there is the shock of his passing. Arrangements are still being made even as I write this.
With each one the past 4 months, I keep hoping it will be the last for a very long time, but, unfortunately, the losses continue. I will again pray that this will be the last for a while.
Since my brother passed away December 1st, I have attended 4 funerals. First my brother's, then the two past Governors of our Moose family center. on March 20th someone very close to me passed away at the age of 81. He was the husband of a very close friend who passed away in 1993. I promised her on her deathbed that I would make sure "C" always had a place to live and for the past 15 years, he had a room wherever I lived. "C" was not in the best of health the past 5 years. He had spent too many years smoking and his lungs were in bad shape. He was having trouble adapting to this weakened state plus the loss of dignity in having to use a walker and I think he finally decided that this way of living, was just not worth it. He was taken to the hospital but refused any treatment, and within a few hours he passed away. His memorial service was at our Moose Family Center last Saturday.
This weekend, one of my co-workers passed away. "S" and I had worked at another company for 8 years before this company, and we had an excellent working relationship. He was not a well man, but still there is the shock of his passing. Arrangements are still being made even as I write this.
With each one the past 4 months, I keep hoping it will be the last for a very long time, but, unfortunately, the losses continue. I will again pray that this will be the last for a while.
Monday, March 24, 2008
DING DACK THE WITCH IS BACK
Well my beloved co-buyer came back today!!! I have written how strong her personality is and now I can prove it. The doctor told her she should stay home another week and not drive for three more. She somehow convinced him (I have no idea how) not only to allow her to come back to work but she drove even though she was in pain. She refused to take any pain medicine because (I heard her tell our boss) it makes her tired, so I am assuming she was in pain all day.
The atmosphere of the office is back to it's usual. No laughter today at all and everyone is on edge because we have no idea how much she will tolerate.
So it's back to the usual. What a lovely 3 week work vacation I had.
The atmosphere of the office is back to it's usual. No laughter today at all and everyone is on edge because we have no idea how much she will tolerate.
So it's back to the usual. What a lovely 3 week work vacation I had.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Politics and people and other general gripes
It's been a very interesting American political week and even though I have tried not to make comments, I just can't seem to help myself.
Coming from Canada where the Prime Minister announces when elections will be held without any fanfare or a year's notice, I just can't seem to grasp the American way of choosing a President. Everyone insults the competition for over a year and once the elections are over, they are expected to get along and work smoothly together.
This week alone, Geraldine Farraro - who was working with Hillary insulted Obama about having a chance to win because of his color and one of Obama's people called Hillary a monster. Both comments were complete uncessary and in very poor taste. Of course both Hillary and Obama denounced both these people and had them removed from their staff, but the damage is done and continues more of the insults and dirt which they have been slinging since Iowa voted in January. Do I have faith that between now and the November elections things will improve, heck no. It will only get worse as the counts of delegates are taken and by convention time this summer when it's realized that neither Hillary nor Obaba have a clear majority, it should really get very ugly. I can't wait to see which Democrat is the one the convention chooses and wonder what happens to the loser since both Hillary and Obama have very strong personalities and I don't see either losing with a lot of grace.
The other thing which blows me away is the downfall of Eliot Spitzer, the Governor of New York who was elected based on his cleaning up the corruption on Wall Street and the prostitute business. Turns out he is not as pure as we were lead to believe and now has become the brunt of late night jokes. I find it ironic that he was caught by the same IRS wiretap which he himself created to catch the ones he set out to catch while he was Attorney Gereral. Call me a simpleton but I absolutely cannot believe anyone can have such an inflated ego as to believe they are better than the American people they serve, but apparently such a person is Eliot and I have to admit I have enjoyed watching the bugger squirm all week. I sure hope he enjoyed his time with his high price hooker because it will be paying for his pleasure for a long time to come. I know we do end up forgiving our politicians (Teddy Kennedy, Gary hart and Bill Clinton come to mind immediately) but in the meantime, it gives me pleasure to watch the unravelling of such a man. The ones I feel sorry for are his wife and kids who must suffer in front of the media with a stiff upper lip. If I were a friend of his wife, I would suggest she give him a stiff upper lip and a black eye to go with it.
I am also confused as to why the Government is rightly going after banks to reduce their interest rates and refinance the home loans so that good folks won't lose them BUT the same Government NEVER goes after the OIL companies who make and announce $15 billion dollars profit every quarter to lower their prices. I just don't understand the difference.
Anyway, back to the national Election. We have almost 5 more months for the Democrats to insult each other before their convention, plus 3 months of both parties insulting their opponents then we will vote and whoever becomes President will come out and tell all of us how wonderful the opposing party is and well both parties will work together to give us Americans the great things we deserve because we are after all the greatest country in the world. Seems like we are set to hear a lot of nonsense for the next 9 months and probably longer when it would be so much wiser to take all the money spent this past year for the election and give it to schools and social programs across the country.
I am guessing that by March, of next year, we should start hearing names being brought up as possible candidates for the year 2012. Now how stupid is that??
I was too young to vote when I left Canada, but I have to believe that it's got to be much easier to choose the Canadian (and for that matter most other countries') leader than the way we do it here!!
Coming from Canada where the Prime Minister announces when elections will be held without any fanfare or a year's notice, I just can't seem to grasp the American way of choosing a President. Everyone insults the competition for over a year and once the elections are over, they are expected to get along and work smoothly together.
This week alone, Geraldine Farraro - who was working with Hillary insulted Obama about having a chance to win because of his color and one of Obama's people called Hillary a monster. Both comments were complete uncessary and in very poor taste. Of course both Hillary and Obama denounced both these people and had them removed from their staff, but the damage is done and continues more of the insults and dirt which they have been slinging since Iowa voted in January. Do I have faith that between now and the November elections things will improve, heck no. It will only get worse as the counts of delegates are taken and by convention time this summer when it's realized that neither Hillary nor Obaba have a clear majority, it should really get very ugly. I can't wait to see which Democrat is the one the convention chooses and wonder what happens to the loser since both Hillary and Obama have very strong personalities and I don't see either losing with a lot of grace.
The other thing which blows me away is the downfall of Eliot Spitzer, the Governor of New York who was elected based on his cleaning up the corruption on Wall Street and the prostitute business. Turns out he is not as pure as we were lead to believe and now has become the brunt of late night jokes. I find it ironic that he was caught by the same IRS wiretap which he himself created to catch the ones he set out to catch while he was Attorney Gereral. Call me a simpleton but I absolutely cannot believe anyone can have such an inflated ego as to believe they are better than the American people they serve, but apparently such a person is Eliot and I have to admit I have enjoyed watching the bugger squirm all week. I sure hope he enjoyed his time with his high price hooker because it will be paying for his pleasure for a long time to come. I know we do end up forgiving our politicians (Teddy Kennedy, Gary hart and Bill Clinton come to mind immediately) but in the meantime, it gives me pleasure to watch the unravelling of such a man. The ones I feel sorry for are his wife and kids who must suffer in front of the media with a stiff upper lip. If I were a friend of his wife, I would suggest she give him a stiff upper lip and a black eye to go with it.
I am also confused as to why the Government is rightly going after banks to reduce their interest rates and refinance the home loans so that good folks won't lose them BUT the same Government NEVER goes after the OIL companies who make and announce $15 billion dollars profit every quarter to lower their prices. I just don't understand the difference.
Anyway, back to the national Election. We have almost 5 more months for the Democrats to insult each other before their convention, plus 3 months of both parties insulting their opponents then we will vote and whoever becomes President will come out and tell all of us how wonderful the opposing party is and well both parties will work together to give us Americans the great things we deserve because we are after all the greatest country in the world. Seems like we are set to hear a lot of nonsense for the next 9 months and probably longer when it would be so much wiser to take all the money spent this past year for the election and give it to schools and social programs across the country.
I am guessing that by March, of next year, we should start hearing names being brought up as possible candidates for the year 2012. Now how stupid is that??
I was too young to vote when I left Canada, but I have to believe that it's got to be much easier to choose the Canadian (and for that matter most other countries') leader than the way we do it here!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
I think I heard a laugh...
It's been almost a week since my co-buyer went out for surgery. She will be out for 3 weeks. I wrote about her a couple of blogs ago and hoped that while she was out, the demeanor of the department would relax and it has quite a bit. There is more interaction between us buyers, more verbal discussions about work (usually we just e-mail so that we don't make any noise) and other co-workers who don't work in this department seem to be coming down more often to chat which absolutely facinates me since our boss is still here, within hearing range and one would think that if the department head were out people would be more relaxed but it seems to be our co-buyer being out which has made everyone more friendly.
This morning, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually heard laughter coming down the hall. I am not just talking a minor chuckle but a regular "I think this is funny" laughter from one of the guys. I am sure it probably really doesn't have anything to do with the fact that my co-buyer isn't here, but it also seems more than a co-incidence and it was really quite a refreshing sound. How sad that I even have to think this way.
We have two and a half more weeks. It will be interesting to see what the rest of her time out from the office brings and even more interesting to see if we revert back to our old stoic, silent, grumpy selves once she returns. Stay tuned for further reports!!!
This morning, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually heard laughter coming down the hall. I am not just talking a minor chuckle but a regular "I think this is funny" laughter from one of the guys. I am sure it probably really doesn't have anything to do with the fact that my co-buyer isn't here, but it also seems more than a co-incidence and it was really quite a refreshing sound. How sad that I even have to think this way.
We have two and a half more weeks. It will be interesting to see what the rest of her time out from the office brings and even more interesting to see if we revert back to our old stoic, silent, grumpy selves once she returns. Stay tuned for further reports!!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Very Sad Week for Our Moose Family Center
Our Moose Family Center is relatively young compared to most of the others in the country. The lodge is 23 years old but actually we have only had a facility to meet, eat and spend time at for 17 years. When we moved into our first very small facility (850 sq ft) we lovingly called The Palace, all our members learned to work together in very close confines. We had only one 3 ft x 3 ft bathroom, and our kitchen was only 6 ft long by 4 ft wide yet we still served complete meals. Both the men and women who became officers of this tiny lodge had a goal to succeed (well maybe the word should be survive) and even though most of us didn't know each other before we joined the Moose, by working together that close in the tiny wooden building, we became more like brothers and sisters than Moose members.
Over the years, as our membrship has grown and we moved into a much larger facility (also more beautiful and plush), those of us who worked together the first 12 years building our fraternity from a Moose Lodge into a Moose Family Center, have remained very close.
This week, we lost two of our brothers. Both had been Past Governors. Jim, who passed away last Monday was Governor the year I was Senior Regent. We had a wonderful year and worked like partners the entire year. We continued to be close friends after our year was over. Mal who passed away Sunday was Governor the year after Jim and I. Both men passed away after being ill. Both were taken from us much too early.
These are the first two out of the 17 men and 17 women, who have been Governors and Senior Regents from the Palace forward, to be taken from us. The pictures of all the Past Governors and Senior Regents are up on a wall so members will always see them up there. What's unfortuate is that the essence of who they were and what they meant to the Moose can't be taken from the pictures and members who join from now on will never know how much these men contributed to our wonderful Family Center.
Those who had the opportunity to work with these men will have memories for a very long time. Sometimes we argued like siblings if we felt our ideals were being compromised but we always managed to work everything out. We will miss these brothers, but we will always be thankful for the opportunity to share the Moose experience with them.
Over the years, as our membrship has grown and we moved into a much larger facility (also more beautiful and plush), those of us who worked together the first 12 years building our fraternity from a Moose Lodge into a Moose Family Center, have remained very close.
This week, we lost two of our brothers. Both had been Past Governors. Jim, who passed away last Monday was Governor the year I was Senior Regent. We had a wonderful year and worked like partners the entire year. We continued to be close friends after our year was over. Mal who passed away Sunday was Governor the year after Jim and I. Both men passed away after being ill. Both were taken from us much too early.
These are the first two out of the 17 men and 17 women, who have been Governors and Senior Regents from the Palace forward, to be taken from us. The pictures of all the Past Governors and Senior Regents are up on a wall so members will always see them up there. What's unfortuate is that the essence of who they were and what they meant to the Moose can't be taken from the pictures and members who join from now on will never know how much these men contributed to our wonderful Family Center.
Those who had the opportunity to work with these men will have memories for a very long time. Sometimes we argued like siblings if we felt our ideals were being compromised but we always managed to work everything out. We will miss these brothers, but we will always be thankful for the opportunity to share the Moose experience with them.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Exactly how wicked am I??
I have written about one of my co-buyers in the past. I have worked at my present job for almost 5 years. This co-buyer has not been the nicest person to work with every day. In fact she has never been nice to me and most often whatever she does say to me has been mostly sarcastic comments. I believe it stems from the fact that she had another person in mind for my job, and has never accepted the fact that I was the person hired without anyone else being interviewed. It's been difficult, but I have managed to ignore her, knowing that I have only a couple of years to retirement, and outside of this particular person, the comany is a wonderful place to work and the rest of my co-workers are super.
Starting yesterday, this person is out on medical leave for at least three weeks. She has to have some sort of surgery and to be honest, I have no idea what the surgery is for. As I said, we do not speak so she hasn't told me and I haven't bothered to ask anyone because if the truth be told, I really don't care.
What I feel kind of wicked about is instead of being concerned about her surgery, I am very pleased that she will be out of the office. When she is gone for any length of time, the entire demeanor of the office changes to a more relaxed atmosphere. This co-buyer has a very strong negative personality, and even though she speaks with the others, her negative personality still permeates the department with everyone wondering what will set her off next. I have to tell you, it's tough being good all the time. I think I can count on one hand the times anyone in our department has had a good belly laugh out loud.
So I plan on enjoying the next three weeks, almost free of the guilt I should be feeling. It will kind of be a vacation from stress even though I will be at work.
I really kind of wish her well and hope that her surgery is successful but in the meantime I plan on enjoying the freedom and maybe we can be relaxed enough to get some humor circulating.
Starting yesterday, this person is out on medical leave for at least three weeks. She has to have some sort of surgery and to be honest, I have no idea what the surgery is for. As I said, we do not speak so she hasn't told me and I haven't bothered to ask anyone because if the truth be told, I really don't care.
What I feel kind of wicked about is instead of being concerned about her surgery, I am very pleased that she will be out of the office. When she is gone for any length of time, the entire demeanor of the office changes to a more relaxed atmosphere. This co-buyer has a very strong negative personality, and even though she speaks with the others, her negative personality still permeates the department with everyone wondering what will set her off next. I have to tell you, it's tough being good all the time. I think I can count on one hand the times anyone in our department has had a good belly laugh out loud.
So I plan on enjoying the next three weeks, almost free of the guilt I should be feeling. It will kind of be a vacation from stress even though I will be at work.
I really kind of wish her well and hope that her surgery is successful but in the meantime I plan on enjoying the freedom and maybe we can be relaxed enough to get some humor circulating.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
What a swell time we had at convention
Outside of the fact that we had rain most of the time, plus we were forced to smoke outside (it was a bit chilly here in southern California), I had a great time at convention.
The meeting session Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning were super with a lot of enthusiasm for the speakers. For the first time in quite a few years, I won one of the door prizes (sweet smelling liquid shower soaps). Unfortunately I didn't win any of the raffle cash prizes, nor any of the silent auction prizes, but it didn't make any difference since all the money went to the Moose causes, and that's what we are all about.
Had many opportunities to spend time with old friends, visiting and just enjoying ourselves.
All in all, it was one great, relaxing weekend. Mostly it was very nice having the chance to get away from the work stresses.
The meeting session Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning were super with a lot of enthusiasm for the speakers. For the first time in quite a few years, I won one of the door prizes (sweet smelling liquid shower soaps). Unfortunately I didn't win any of the raffle cash prizes, nor any of the silent auction prizes, but it didn't make any difference since all the money went to the Moose causes, and that's what we are all about.
Had many opportunities to spend time with old friends, visiting and just enjoying ourselves.
All in all, it was one great, relaxing weekend. Mostly it was very nice having the chance to get away from the work stresses.
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's time for another Moose convention
I haven't had much to blog about and hardly enough time to get everything done at work. I am taking 5 days off to attend one of my favorite Moose events. Each year there are two coventions. One is in September and the other in February. They alternate in the north (Reno Nevada) and south (this year it's in Irvine California). Since it's so close, many of our members are attending this one, including moi!!
Even though there are meetings to attend, what makes these events so much fun for me is getting the chance to visit with old friends I have met at these conventions over the past 20 years. The only chance most of us have to visit with each other is at conventions. Many come from all parts of California and Nevada, too far for us to visit their Moose Family Centers, so these conventions give us the chance to spend 3 or more days together catching up on what's happening at each other's Chapters, how the year is going, and with others, catching up on our families and what's been going on in our personal lives.
It's been a tough 12 months for me but with the support of my family and Moose friends, it's been easier to bear. Many have been supportive here at my own Moose Chapter but quite have only been able to support me in E-mails and this will give me a chance to thank them in person with huge hugs.
So I will be soon be off on another Moose adventure of fun and food. I am all packed (of course their are the obligitory Moose shirts in my suitcase). I will blog again once I return on Monday.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I know those of you in the mid west and Canada have had a very tough winter but here we are almost at the end of February and March will pass quickly. Soon my beloved lilacs will blossom, indicating that spring is finally spreading it's warmth and slush. If I remember correctly, there can't be a better word after a very long cold winter than the word slush because behind the slush comes dry sidewalks.
I will soon be back to report on a hopefully great Moose convention.
Even though there are meetings to attend, what makes these events so much fun for me is getting the chance to visit with old friends I have met at these conventions over the past 20 years. The only chance most of us have to visit with each other is at conventions. Many come from all parts of California and Nevada, too far for us to visit their Moose Family Centers, so these conventions give us the chance to spend 3 or more days together catching up on what's happening at each other's Chapters, how the year is going, and with others, catching up on our families and what's been going on in our personal lives.
It's been a tough 12 months for me but with the support of my family and Moose friends, it's been easier to bear. Many have been supportive here at my own Moose Chapter but quite have only been able to support me in E-mails and this will give me a chance to thank them in person with huge hugs.
So I will be soon be off on another Moose adventure of fun and food. I am all packed (of course their are the obligitory Moose shirts in my suitcase). I will blog again once I return on Monday.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I know those of you in the mid west and Canada have had a very tough winter but here we are almost at the end of February and March will pass quickly. Soon my beloved lilacs will blossom, indicating that spring is finally spreading it's warmth and slush. If I remember correctly, there can't be a better word after a very long cold winter than the word slush because behind the slush comes dry sidewalks.
I will soon be back to report on a hopefully great Moose convention.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
This and That
I really haven't had a whole lot to blog about but it's been a week so I figure it's time to report in.
Sunday's game was quite profitable for me. I bet on the Giants and made a tidy bundle of cash. We also had some pools (49 to be exact - the Moose love pools) and I won a couple of those too. We had over 100 people at the lodge watching the game and since it was pot luck, we had more than enough food and snacks. Like my cousin Joan, I behaved pretty good food wise and only had a few chicken wings (the very mild ones), a couple of potato skins and veggies. I wasn't too hungry since I drank a full Snapple tea and it was quite filling. Since the football season is now officially over, I am in the blue stage but since it's only 7 months until the new season begins, it gives me something to look foward to.
Yesterday was voting day. I always file an absentee ballot so I actually voted over two weeks ago. When I moved here in 1964, I remained a Canadian for the first 20 years, which prevented me from voting. Lynn and Joan had this wonderful aunt (their father's sister) who was very conservative. When I would complain about the Government, she would remind me that I had no right as long as I refused to become an American. Finally in 1984 I worked for a company which required me to become an American citizen (they even had their attorney fill out the paperwork) so I agreed providing I could maintain dual citizenship. What this means is that while I am living in the USA I will have an American passport and can vote here but not in Canada. If I ever move back to Canada (don't think that will happen), I would have a Canadian passport and I could vote there but not here. I have always had a soft spot for my birth country (well soft in the summer, fall and spring - not so soft in the winter) and really wasn't ready to completely abandon my Canadian citizenship so this was the best of both worlds.
The part of the ballot which challenged me was not the presidential choices but the Indian Gaming measures. There were 4 which requested that the Reservations be allowed to increase the amount of slot machines in their casinos, thereby increasing the amount of money they give the State of California (desperately needed). They also claim they would share money with the other tribes which don't have casinos for hospitals and schools. The opposition claimed that only 4 tribes would be making a lot of money with the other 70 tribes being left out. The people for the increases claimed that Los Vegas was actually funding the oppoisition, not wanting to lose the money they are bringing in. There has been quite a lot of discussion in the lodge for and against. I finally decided to vote for the increase because any extra money coming into the State coffer is better than none at all. I figure that it would be impossible for all the new slot machines to be used at one time anyway so what difference would increasing the casino size make and hopefully the 4 big casinos will be honorable and the money will be shared with the other tribes. I guess most agreed with me because all 4 measures passed.
So there you have my week in a nutshell. Now that it's finished and I have read it over, it sounds pretty boring to me!! Hope you all had a great Mardi Gras Tuesday.
Sunday's game was quite profitable for me. I bet on the Giants and made a tidy bundle of cash. We also had some pools (49 to be exact - the Moose love pools) and I won a couple of those too. We had over 100 people at the lodge watching the game and since it was pot luck, we had more than enough food and snacks. Like my cousin Joan, I behaved pretty good food wise and only had a few chicken wings (the very mild ones), a couple of potato skins and veggies. I wasn't too hungry since I drank a full Snapple tea and it was quite filling. Since the football season is now officially over, I am in the blue stage but since it's only 7 months until the new season begins, it gives me something to look foward to.
Yesterday was voting day. I always file an absentee ballot so I actually voted over two weeks ago. When I moved here in 1964, I remained a Canadian for the first 20 years, which prevented me from voting. Lynn and Joan had this wonderful aunt (their father's sister) who was very conservative. When I would complain about the Government, she would remind me that I had no right as long as I refused to become an American. Finally in 1984 I worked for a company which required me to become an American citizen (they even had their attorney fill out the paperwork) so I agreed providing I could maintain dual citizenship. What this means is that while I am living in the USA I will have an American passport and can vote here but not in Canada. If I ever move back to Canada (don't think that will happen), I would have a Canadian passport and I could vote there but not here. I have always had a soft spot for my birth country (well soft in the summer, fall and spring - not so soft in the winter) and really wasn't ready to completely abandon my Canadian citizenship so this was the best of both worlds.
The part of the ballot which challenged me was not the presidential choices but the Indian Gaming measures. There were 4 which requested that the Reservations be allowed to increase the amount of slot machines in their casinos, thereby increasing the amount of money they give the State of California (desperately needed). They also claim they would share money with the other tribes which don't have casinos for hospitals and schools. The opposition claimed that only 4 tribes would be making a lot of money with the other 70 tribes being left out. The people for the increases claimed that Los Vegas was actually funding the oppoisition, not wanting to lose the money they are bringing in. There has been quite a lot of discussion in the lodge for and against. I finally decided to vote for the increase because any extra money coming into the State coffer is better than none at all. I figure that it would be impossible for all the new slot machines to be used at one time anyway so what difference would increasing the casino size make and hopefully the 4 big casinos will be honorable and the money will be shared with the other tribes. I guess most agreed with me because all 4 measures passed.
So there you have my week in a nutshell. Now that it's finished and I have read it over, it sounds pretty boring to me!! Hope you all had a great Mardi Gras Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Two things
I received this meme from Ralph (also known as daddums) so I will reveal more about myself also:
Two names I go by: Leslie (middle name) and "I"
Two think you are wearing right now: long sleeve shirt and uggs
two things you would want in a relationship: love and fun
Two of you favorite things to do: sleep and Moose functions.
Two things you want badly now: Retirement and Retirement
Two pets you have had: siamese cat 30 yrs ago and black lab 14 yrs ago.
Two people you hope will fill this out - anyone who wishes to reveal more about themselves.
Two things I did last night: bet on the Giants and watched some T.V.
Two things you ate today: Half a tuna sandwich and coleslaw
Two things you are doing tomorrow: driving to work and working
Two longest car rides: Montreal to New York with parents, St Louis to Minneapolis for work.
Two favorite holidays: any ones I have the day off.
two favorite beverages: Diet pepsi and tea
Two people no longer alive you would like to talk to: Brother Frank and both parents (ok 3)
Two names I go by: Leslie (middle name) and "I"
Two think you are wearing right now: long sleeve shirt and uggs
two things you would want in a relationship: love and fun
Two of you favorite things to do: sleep and Moose functions.
Two things you want badly now: Retirement and Retirement
Two pets you have had: siamese cat 30 yrs ago and black lab 14 yrs ago.
Two people you hope will fill this out - anyone who wishes to reveal more about themselves.
Two things I did last night: bet on the Giants and watched some T.V.
Two things you ate today: Half a tuna sandwich and coleslaw
Two things you are doing tomorrow: driving to work and working
Two longest car rides: Montreal to New York with parents, St Louis to Minneapolis for work.
Two favorite holidays: any ones I have the day off.
two favorite beverages: Diet pepsi and tea
Two people no longer alive you would like to talk to: Brother Frank and both parents (ok 3)
Monday, January 28, 2008
A Monday Morning Laugh
Usually when I am reading something, I picture in my mind what I am reading. This morning a good friend sent me this joke and the picure in my mind made this start a very good day for a Monday. So I ask you to join me in picturing these scenes........
Little Red Riding Hood is skipping thru the forest road when she sees the big bad wolf crouched down behind a log. "My, what big eyes you have, Mr. Wolf". The wolf jumps up and runs away.
Further down the road, Little Red Riding Hood see the wolf again. This time he is crouched behind a bush. "My, what big ears you have, Mr. Wolf". Again, the wolf jumps up and runs away.
About 1/4 mile down the road, Little Red Riding Hood see the wolf. This time he is crouched down behind a rock. "My, what big teeth you have, Mr. Wolf."
With that the wolf jumps up and SCREAMS... 'WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF KID.....I'M TRYING TO POOP!!"
Hope your visual imagination worked like mine and gave you a wonderful laugh. You all have a great week!!!
Little Red Riding Hood is skipping thru the forest road when she sees the big bad wolf crouched down behind a log. "My, what big eyes you have, Mr. Wolf". The wolf jumps up and runs away.
Further down the road, Little Red Riding Hood see the wolf again. This time he is crouched behind a bush. "My, what big ears you have, Mr. Wolf". Again, the wolf jumps up and runs away.
About 1/4 mile down the road, Little Red Riding Hood see the wolf. This time he is crouched down behind a rock. "My, what big teeth you have, Mr. Wolf."
With that the wolf jumps up and SCREAMS... 'WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF KID.....I'M TRYING TO POOP!!"
Hope your visual imagination worked like mine and gave you a wonderful laugh. You all have a great week!!!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Too much rain
It's Friday afternoon at 4:30 and I am ready to go home. It's been a horrible week between having a cold plus being cold and wet. We have had more rain in the last two days than we have had the past 2 years and we still have three more days to go. It's also been cold (well for Southern California) and the snow level is down to 2000 feet causing problems for anyone trying to travel from So California to No. California. Wednesday night hundreds of cars got stuck on the 5 freeway at the infamous grapevine because the snow was too deep and there was no way to back up or go into the southbound lanes. One of our employees was stuck in his truck for 4 hours until the Highway Patrol bull dozer cut a path through the snow from the northbound lane to the southbound lane. He was lucky because he was in an area where he could follow the bull dozer. Any of the cars stuck on top of the pass were there until the next day because even the bull dozer couldn't get through there. All the motels in the area were full up because not even the 18 wheelers could get through the pass.
On my way home yesterday, there was one section of the freeway where it was raining so hard in a 20 minute span that all 4 lanes of the freeway were flooded so the Highway Patrol stopped all of us for a half hour until the rain let up and the freeway could drain. The rain was so heavy that I could not see the car stopped in front of me. My usual 45 minute drive took almost 2 hours.
Fortunately, it's Friday and I won't have to go anywhere for the next two rain days which are supposed to be worse than the last 2 days.
On top of everything, I still have the last gasp of the cold I had. Using fewer tissues but still a little clogged up.
As I write this, I can hear the rain on our company roof. Oh well, it's going to be a long long drive home tonight also.
On my way home yesterday, there was one section of the freeway where it was raining so hard in a 20 minute span that all 4 lanes of the freeway were flooded so the Highway Patrol stopped all of us for a half hour until the rain let up and the freeway could drain. The rain was so heavy that I could not see the car stopped in front of me. My usual 45 minute drive took almost 2 hours.
Fortunately, it's Friday and I won't have to go anywhere for the next two rain days which are supposed to be worse than the last 2 days.
On top of everything, I still have the last gasp of the cold I had. Using fewer tissues but still a little clogged up.
As I write this, I can hear the rain on our company roof. Oh well, it's going to be a long long drive home tonight also.
Monday, January 21, 2008
one game away
The pro footballl games yesterday were the most exciting ones I have seen in a very long time. Not having a team to root for or be heartbroken for is truly an advantage. All 4 teams suffered the horrible cold conditions like true troopers, and I really wish all could go to the super bowl but unfortunately only two teams can compete. Having lived in Quebec, I also know just how cold the players were, but watching both games, one could hardly tell how difficult it was for the players to do their jobs.
Even though I love the game, I have a hard time watching these types of games where it's that cold. I don't mind the mud games or even the games where it's snowing but I feel uncomfortable watching the games where the players are freezing, and that's why I feel real sympathy for the losing teams. Having only the super bowl to look foward to has now put me in stage 2 of football withdrawl depression.
To add to my misery, I have the worse cold. For the first time ever, I have Martin Luther King day off and not only do I have this miserable cold, but my Expedition failed the smog test Saturday, and it must be fixed before I can get my 2008 license plate tags which are due on March 16th, so at 8:30 this morning, I had some friends meet me at the repair shop. My mechanic isn't sure what caused the smog test failure but his wife also has an Expedition the same year as mine so I have confidence he will find the problem. While he has the SUV, I have also asked him to check the brakes because it's been a while and I drive each nite bumper to bumper down a three mile 850 foot grade into my town and I know the brakes take a beating, so I figure it's a good time to check the breaks. We expect 4 days of rain later in the week and I would hate to have the brakes fail while I am in the middle of the grade.
So here I am, stuck in the house without a vehicle. Fortunately, I have more than a few boxes of untra soft tissues and soup. Maybe if I am lucky, my mechanic will quickly find the source of the smog failure and I won't need new brakes.
Hey, I can wish, can't I???
UPDATE:
no luck on the Expedition. I needed a complete new smog whatever (I don't know crap about car wording) and new brakes. Final tally was almost $800.00. Happy I got new brakes though because we are going to have 4 days of rain and I now feel more confident driving down the grade and should have my new license registration before the due date.
Even though I love the game, I have a hard time watching these types of games where it's that cold. I don't mind the mud games or even the games where it's snowing but I feel uncomfortable watching the games where the players are freezing, and that's why I feel real sympathy for the losing teams. Having only the super bowl to look foward to has now put me in stage 2 of football withdrawl depression.
To add to my misery, I have the worse cold. For the first time ever, I have Martin Luther King day off and not only do I have this miserable cold, but my Expedition failed the smog test Saturday, and it must be fixed before I can get my 2008 license plate tags which are due on March 16th, so at 8:30 this morning, I had some friends meet me at the repair shop. My mechanic isn't sure what caused the smog test failure but his wife also has an Expedition the same year as mine so I have confidence he will find the problem. While he has the SUV, I have also asked him to check the brakes because it's been a while and I drive each nite bumper to bumper down a three mile 850 foot grade into my town and I know the brakes take a beating, so I figure it's a good time to check the breaks. We expect 4 days of rain later in the week and I would hate to have the brakes fail while I am in the middle of the grade.
So here I am, stuck in the house without a vehicle. Fortunately, I have more than a few boxes of untra soft tissues and soup. Maybe if I am lucky, my mechanic will quickly find the source of the smog failure and I won't need new brakes.
Hey, I can wish, can't I???
UPDATE:
no luck on the Expedition. I needed a complete new smog whatever (I don't know crap about car wording) and new brakes. Final tally was almost $800.00. Happy I got new brakes though because we are going to have 4 days of rain and I now feel more confident driving down the grade and should have my new license registration before the due date.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Football season withdrawl stage one.
it must be obvious by now that I am a big football fan. I happily cheered my beloved University of California Trojans to a win in the Rose bowl and I have been staying up nights (not) worrying that our wonderful coach Pete Carroll would bolt for one of the Pro teams next season. Fortunately for us, at this point, he has decided to stay with USC which is the best news.
While I love the game (High school, College, Pro) in general, outside of the Trojans, I don't have allegiance to any pro team because Los Angeles doesn't have one so I can enjoy any pro game on TV without the heartbreak of a loss. The past three weeks have been the most exciting. Yesterday there were a couple of defeats which suprised everyone. Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts both lost. The San Diego Chargers beat the Colts. That was a big big shocker. Since San Diego is really the closest team to us, many Angelenos are cheering for the first time in a very long time. My friend's son-in-law is probably on the biggest high. He loves the Chargers and has more collectibles than any one I have ever seen.
Me, I am just enjoying the games while they are being played, knowing that in three weeks the season will be over. I am already suffering the pangs of withdrawl and will soon start counting the months until August when they start over again. Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy the playoffs and look forward to Super Bowl Sunday, our biggest Moose day of the year. Free food always brings out the crowd. This year should be no exception. As I do every year, I will miss football desperately. I am already in the first stage of depression!!!
While I love the game (High school, College, Pro) in general, outside of the Trojans, I don't have allegiance to any pro team because Los Angeles doesn't have one so I can enjoy any pro game on TV without the heartbreak of a loss. The past three weeks have been the most exciting. Yesterday there were a couple of defeats which suprised everyone. Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts both lost. The San Diego Chargers beat the Colts. That was a big big shocker. Since San Diego is really the closest team to us, many Angelenos are cheering for the first time in a very long time. My friend's son-in-law is probably on the biggest high. He loves the Chargers and has more collectibles than any one I have ever seen.
Me, I am just enjoying the games while they are being played, knowing that in three weeks the season will be over. I am already suffering the pangs of withdrawl and will soon start counting the months until August when they start over again. Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy the playoffs and look forward to Super Bowl Sunday, our biggest Moose day of the year. Free food always brings out the crowd. This year should be no exception. As I do every year, I will miss football desperately. I am already in the first stage of depression!!!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A possible football tragedy ahead
I know in the circle of world situations right now, ie war, global warming, poverty, famine and of course the inevitable U.S. presidential elections (one would think the entire world only cares about our election considering the media coverage), college football should be on the very bottom of the scale of worry, but for those of us University of Southern California football fans, there looms a very possible tragedy - the coach, Pete Carroll is considering offers from a couple of professional teams - Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins.
We, the loyal fans have become accustomed to winning big the past 7 years and we have won very very big. During this time, SC won 2 national titles and 4 Rose Bowl titles. A fan cannot wish for a lot more than that. Pete is the reason. His recruiting program for new students is obviously one of the best in the country. High school seniors from all over the country, pray that Pete or a Southern California representative will show up at their games and knock on their doors with scholarship offers. He is a true gentleman and one of the few college coaches who opens the teams practices to media and the public. Anyone can walk across campus to sit in the stands any time the team is practicing. After practice, while the team in standing on the sidelines, any reporter or fan can walk up to any player including the quarterback and just start a conversation. The media loves it, the fans love it and most important, Pete and the players love it.
Los Angeles doesn't have a professional football team. Right now the University of Southern California Trojans are the closest us football fans come to having a team to love and we know how much the success owes to Pete. He is the backbone of the team, and, most of us believe we need him to keep the program successful.
The media is reporting that Pete is considering offers from the two professional teams mentioned above. Pete has been a pro coach before, but not a very successful one. Now that he is tops in the college arena, he would have a great reason to accept a pro offer to see if he can win in the N.F.L. It's not so much the money offer as much as it would be proving his capabilities. Right now we don't know whether the offers are valid or if he will accept one.
What we the fans do know that if Pete leaves us for greener football arenas, we will be so much poorer for the loss and we will never be able to say thank you enough for everything he has given us the past 7 years. We have been a very lucky university and a very lucky city and if he chooses to leave, we will miss him more than he will ever know.
Gosh, I hope he stays!!!!
We, the loyal fans have become accustomed to winning big the past 7 years and we have won very very big. During this time, SC won 2 national titles and 4 Rose Bowl titles. A fan cannot wish for a lot more than that. Pete is the reason. His recruiting program for new students is obviously one of the best in the country. High school seniors from all over the country, pray that Pete or a Southern California representative will show up at their games and knock on their doors with scholarship offers. He is a true gentleman and one of the few college coaches who opens the teams practices to media and the public. Anyone can walk across campus to sit in the stands any time the team is practicing. After practice, while the team in standing on the sidelines, any reporter or fan can walk up to any player including the quarterback and just start a conversation. The media loves it, the fans love it and most important, Pete and the players love it.
Los Angeles doesn't have a professional football team. Right now the University of Southern California Trojans are the closest us football fans come to having a team to love and we know how much the success owes to Pete. He is the backbone of the team, and, most of us believe we need him to keep the program successful.
The media is reporting that Pete is considering offers from the two professional teams mentioned above. Pete has been a pro coach before, but not a very successful one. Now that he is tops in the college arena, he would have a great reason to accept a pro offer to see if he can win in the N.F.L. It's not so much the money offer as much as it would be proving his capabilities. Right now we don't know whether the offers are valid or if he will accept one.
What we the fans do know that if Pete leaves us for greener football arenas, we will be so much poorer for the loss and we will never be able to say thank you enough for everything he has given us the past 7 years. We have been a very lucky university and a very lucky city and if he chooses to leave, we will miss him more than he will ever know.
Gosh, I hope he stays!!!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Life in the dark
Last week when I was undecorating, I noticed some of my outside lights had gone out. I figured it was the string but I was wrong. When I pulled into my driveway last night, the security lights didn't come on either. I thought that it would be a quick fix. Just go into the breaker box and flip the switch, so I grabbed a flashlight from the car and looked into the breaker box. The previous owner of the house had conveniently listed what the switches covered, so I flipped the switch which said outside lights and bathrooms.
BIG BIG MISTAKE. The security lights came on, so I was sure everything was working, but I was so wrong. When I went into the bathroom and turned on the lights - NOTHING HAPPENED. I said a few not so nice words under my breath, again grabbed the flashlight and went back out to the box where I proceeded to flip the switch back and forth, hit the reset button as instructed in the notes and went back into the house to check on the bathroom lights (both bathroom are obviously on the same circuit because both are not working). Again NOTHING. I was in the dark both literally and figuratively in the bathroom, however, the security lights work perfectly. I have a small night light in the bathroom which comes on when the power is off so I was not completely in the dark but showering this morning was an interesting experience.
Fortunately, one of our Moose members is an electrician and I called him this morning to explain what happened. He has agreed to drop by the house on his way to the Lodge tonight to have a look see. I sure hope he can easily fix whatever is wrong. The thought of showering in the dark really doesn't appeal to me.
UPDATE:
all is well. Turns out this breaker is tough to work and my friend said he had to jiggle it a while but he got it fixed. Sometimes it's good to be a Moose member when something needs a quick fix.
BIG BIG MISTAKE. The security lights came on, so I was sure everything was working, but I was so wrong. When I went into the bathroom and turned on the lights - NOTHING HAPPENED. I said a few not so nice words under my breath, again grabbed the flashlight and went back out to the box where I proceeded to flip the switch back and forth, hit the reset button as instructed in the notes and went back into the house to check on the bathroom lights (both bathroom are obviously on the same circuit because both are not working). Again NOTHING. I was in the dark both literally and figuratively in the bathroom, however, the security lights work perfectly. I have a small night light in the bathroom which comes on when the power is off so I was not completely in the dark but showering this morning was an interesting experience.
Fortunately, one of our Moose members is an electrician and I called him this morning to explain what happened. He has agreed to drop by the house on his way to the Lodge tonight to have a look see. I sure hope he can easily fix whatever is wrong. The thought of showering in the dark really doesn't appeal to me.
UPDATE:
all is well. Turns out this breaker is tough to work and my friend said he had to jiggle it a while but he got it fixed. Sometimes it's good to be a Moose member when something needs a quick fix.
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